The Lotus Sūtra 2.28

2.28

「舍利弗！若有眾生內有智性，從佛世尊聞法信受，慇懃精進，欲速出三界，自求涅槃，是名聲聞乘，如彼諸子為求羊車出於火宅；若有眾生從佛世尊聞法信受，慇懃精進，求自然慧，樂獨善寂，深知諸法因緣，是名辟支佛乘，如彼諸子為求鹿車出於火宅；若有眾生從佛世尊聞法信受，勤修精進，求一切智、佛智、自然智、無師智，如來知見、力、無所畏，愍念、安樂無量眾生，利益天人，度脫一切，是名大乘，菩薩求此乘故，名為摩訶薩，如彼諸子為求牛車、出於火宅。

"Śāriputra, if there are sentient beings who have inner wisdom, hear the Dharma from the Buddha, the Bhagavat, and accept it with faith, practicing with earnest diligence, wishing to leave the triple realm quickly and seeking nirvāṇa for themselves, this is called the śrāvaka vehicle, just as those sons came out of the burning house seeking the goat carts. If there are sentient beings who hear the Dharma from the Buddha, the Bhagavat, and accept it with faith, practicing with earnest diligence, seeking spontaneous wisdom, taking pleasure in solitary quietude, and deeply understanding the causes and conditions of phenomena, this is called the pratyekabuddha vehicle, just as those sons came out of the burning house seeking the deer carts. If there are sentient beings who hear the Dharma from the Buddha, the Bhagavat, and accept it with faith, diligently cultivating vigor, seeking all-knowledge, the Buddha's wisdom, spontaneous wisdom, and uninstructed wisdom, the Tathāgata's knowledge and vision, powers, and fearlessnesses, taking pity on and bringing peace and joy to immeasurable sentient beings, benefiting gods and humans, and liberating all, this is called the Great Vehicle (Mahāyāna). Because bodhisattvas seek this vehicle, they are called Mahāsattvas, just as those sons came out of the burning house seeking the ox carts.