四法

There are several groups of four dharma:

(1) [lang id =1028]教法 the teaching of the Buddha); [lang id =1028]理法 its principles, or meaning; [lang id =1028]行法 its practice; [lang id =1028]果法 its fruits or rewards.

(2) Another group relates to bodhisattvas, their never losing the (sa) bodhi-mind, or the wisdom attained, or perseverance in progress, or the monastic forest life ((sa) āraṇyaka).

(3) Also [lang id =1028]信解行證 faith, discernment, performance, and assurance.

(4) The Pure-land 'True' sect of Japan has a division: [lang id =1028]教法, i. e. the [lang id =1028]大無量壽經; [lang id =1028]行法 the practice of the seventeenth of Amitābha's vows; [lang id =1028]信法 faith in the eighteenth; and [lang id =1028]證法 proof of the eleventh. The most important work of Shinran, the founder of the sect, is these four, i. e. [lang id =1028]教行信證.

(5) A 'Lotus ' division of [lang id =1028]四法 is the answer to a question of Puxian (Samantabhadra) how the Lotus is to be possessed after the Buddha's demise, i. e. by thought (or protection) of the Buddhas; the cultivation of virtue; entry into correct (sa) dhyāna; and having a mind to save all creatures.

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﹝出大乘本生心地觀經﹞ 經云： 於法寶中， 有其四種， 引導眾生， 出生死海， 到於彼岸。 三世諸佛， 依此修行， 斷一切障， 得成菩提。 〔一、 教法〕， 謂一切無漏善法， 教化眾生， 能破無明煩惱業障也。 （無漏者， 不漏落生死也。 ） 〔二、 理法〕， 謂一切教法所詮之義理也。 〔三、 行法〕， 謂戒定慧等諸行之法也。 〔四、 果法〕， 謂至果所證， 無為涅槃等法也。 （梵語涅槃， 華言滅度。 ）

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１．指法寶中的四法， 即教法、 理法、 行法、 果法。 教是佛所說的言教； 理是教中所詮的義理； 行是依理而起修的行持； 果是由行而證的覺果。 ２．指菩薩修行的四法， 即不捨菩提心、 不捨善知識、 不捨堪忍愛樂、 不捨阿練若。 ３．指信、 解、 行、 證。