‘Four kinds of explanation’ （四意消文） offers a specific method that Tiantai Zhiyi used to express the truth of saddharmapundarika-sutra （妙法蓮華經）. This method discloses the original reality of saddharmapundarika-sutra: the “Sutra” that represents every Buddhist sutra and the dharma itself. The method of ‘Four kinds of explanation’ is not just a practical method about explaining sutras; it includes the theory of interpretation, which combines understanding with practical meaning. ‘Four kinds of explanation’ includes the explanation of yinyuan （因緣）, uejiao （約教）, benji （本具）, guanxin （觀心）. Both explanations of yinyuan and uejiao are analytical methods. We understand that the text itself is sunya in the process of analyzing. The most radical idea of saddharmapundarika-sutra is benji, by which we understand that there are ben-saddharmapundarika-sutra （ben-text） and ji-saddharmapundarika-sutra （ji-text）. That means the two are indivisible though they are distinguishable. The interpretation in Guanxin based on the absence of self-nature in text and scripture, points out that understanding must tend to an understanding of the ultimate and real mark of all kinds of dharmas; moreover, this interpretation and understanding must abandon the superficial meanings of all words and expressions, by transforming itself into the threefold contemplation within one moment of mental activity. It is accomplished only after having realized this kind of contemplation.
