所言妙者，妙名不可思議也。所言法者，十界十如權實之法也。蓮華者，譬權實法也。良以妙法難解，假喻易彰，況意乃多，略擬前後，合成六也。一、為蓮故華，譬為實施權。文云：知第一寂滅，以方便力故，雖示種種道，其實為佛乘。二、華敷譬開權，蓮現譬顯實。文云：開方便門，示真實相。三、華落譬廢權，蓮成譬立實。文云：正直捨方便，但說無上道。又蓮譬於本，華譬於迹，從本垂迹，迹依於本。文云：我實成佛來，久遠若斯，但教化眾生，作如是說，我少出家，得三菩提。二、華敷譬開迹，蓮現譬顯本。文云：一切世間，皆謂今始得道，我成佛來，無量無邊那由他劫。三、華落譬廢迹，蓮成譬立本。文云：諸佛如來，法皆如是，為度眾生，皆實不虗。是以先標妙法，次喻蓮華。蕩化城之執教，廢艸菴之滯情，開方便之權門，示真實之妙理，會眾善之小行，歸廣大之一乘，上中下根，皆與記莂。又發眾聖之權巧，顯本地之幽微，故增道損生，位鄰大覺，一期化導，事理俱圓，蓮華之譬，意在斯矣。經者，外國稱修多羅，聖教之都名，有翻無翻，事如後釋。記者，釋曰：此敘經玄意，玄意述於文心，文心莫過本迹，仰觀斯旨，眾義冷然。妙法蓮華，即敘名也。示真實之妙理，敘體也。歸廣大之一乘，敘宗也。蕩化城之執教，敘用也。一期化圓，敘教也。六譬，敘本迹也，文略義周矣。
釋名第一。辨體第二。明宗第三。論用第四。判教第五。釋此五章，有通有別。通則七番共解，別則五重各說。就通則七番共解：一標章，二引證，三生起，四開合，五料簡，六觀心，七會異。標章令易憶持，起念心故。引證據佛語，起信心故。生起使不雜亂，起定心故。開合料簡會異等，起慧心故。觀心即聞即行，起精進心故。五心立，成五根，排五障，成五力，乃至入三脫門。略說七重共意如此。廣解五章者，一一廣起五心五根，令開示悟入佛之知見耳。
**Chapter One: Explaining the Title** **Chapter Two: Clarifying the Essence** **Chapter Three: Illuminating the Principle** **Chapter Four: Discussing the Function** **Chapter Five: Distinguishing the Teachings**
To explain these five chapters, there is both a general approach and a specific approach. The general approach uses seven steps to interpret them together; the specific approach addresses each of the five chapters separately.
In the general approach, the seven steps are: 1. Stating the headings 2. Citing evidence 3. Establishing the sequence 4. Opening and closing 5. Analyzing and distinguishing 6. Contemplating the mind 7. Reconciling differences
Stating the headings makes them easy to remember and recite, arousing the mind of mindfulness. Citing evidence relies on the Buddha’s words, arousing the mind of faith. Establishing the sequence prevents confusion, arousing the mind of concentration. Opening and closing, analyzing and distinguishing, and reconciling differences arouse the mind of wisdom. Contemplating the mind means practicing immediately upon hearing, arousing the mind of diligence.
When these five minds are established, they become the five faculties, dispel the five hindrances, develop into the five powers, and ultimately lead to entering the three gates of liberation.
This briefly explains the general meaning of the seven steps.
As for the detailed explanation of the five chapters, each one extensively cultivates the five minds and five faculties, enabling one to open, reveal, realize, and enter the Buddha’s wisdom and insight.