妙法蓮華經玄義 10.110

10.110

二、就益不益料簡者，若華嚴為乳，三藏為酪，此則方便味濃，大乘味薄。釋此為三：一、取用益為論，如貴藥非病治，賤藥是病宜，貴藥非宜，徒服無益。初說華嚴，於初心未深益，於漸機亦未轉，於二緣如乳。若漸機稟三藏，能斷見思，三毒稍盡，即轉凡成聖，如變乳為酪。不可以用益謂賤勝、不用益謂貴劣。華嚴亦如是，於小如乳，於大如醍醐。少分譬喻，不可全求也。

Second, concerning the evaluation of benefit and non-benefit: if the Avataṃsaka is milk and the Tripiṭaka is curd, then the flavor of the provisional is rich, while the flavor of the Great Vehicle is thin. This is explained in three ways: First, discussed in terms of the benefit of application: just as an expensive medicine does not cure an unsuitable illness, while a cheap medicine is appropriate for the illness; if an expensive medicine is not suitable, taking it in vain brings no benefit. When the Avataṃsaka was first preached, it did not deeply benefit initial minds, nor did it transform the gradual capacity; for these two conditions it is like milk. When the gradual capacity receives the Tripiṭaka, it can sever view and thought [afflictions], and the three poisons are gradually exhausted, thereby transforming from ordinary being into noble one, just like changing milk into curd. One cannot say, on account of the benefit of application, that the cheap is superior, or on account of the lack of benefit of application, that the expensive is inferior. The Avataṃsaka is also like this: for the small it is like milk, while for the great it is like clarified butter. A partial analogy should not be demanded in its entirety.