A Bodhisattva-mahāsattvas who wishes to expound this sūtra in the age of the decline of the teachings after my extinction should perform the following peaceful practices. When he expounds or reads this sūtra, he should not point out the faults of other persons or sūtras.

As for the second dharma, it is the committing of no fault through body or mouth. Although this does not refer to the karma committed through body, it is chanted in the gāthās. [Although] this section may touch on the karma through mind, it is strictly meant to complete the theme that they [beings] should commit no fault through body or mouth; it does not deal with mind as such.

A Bodhisattva-mahāsattvas who wishes to keep, read and recite this sūtra in the latter days after [my extinction] when the teachings are about to be destroyed, should not nurse jealousy against others, or flatter or deceive them.

The third dharma is the [harboring] of no envy or jealousy. Although this refers to karma committed through the mouth, it is designed to drive home the theme of [committing] no fault of karma through mind; it does not speak of mouth as such.

A Bodhisattva-mahāsattvas who keeps this Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Dharma in the latter days after [my extinction] when the teachings are about to be destroyed, should have great loving-kindness towards laymen and monks, and great compassion towards those who are not Bodhisattvas.

The fourth dharma is the state of feeling “great compassion” (mahākaruṇa). Because of its being “great,” in altruistically embracing beings’ it is described later. If they can rest in these four dharmas, they will then not have fear or weakness. [If] they propagate the teaching by availing themselves of these [dharmas], the fruit will be a rich one.