妙法蓮華經玄義 10.123

10.123

初、約一法明開合者，「十方佛土中，唯有一乘法」，於此法不解，全生如乳。若欲開者，開圓出別教一乘也。若於別不解，亦全生如乳，又開通一乘也。若於通不解，亦全生如乳，又開三藏一乘也。雖開為四，皆名一大乘法，俱求佛果也。若於三藏一乘得解，即變乳成酪，乃至入本一乘也（云云）。若於四一乘不解，又更於三藏開出聲聞支佛教。若斷結證果，心漸通泰者，即却二乘，唯言大乘求佛，漸以《般若》洮汰，令心調熟，即廢方便一乘，唯圓實一乘。故云：「如我本誓願，今者已滿足，化一切眾生，皆令入佛道。若以小乘化，我則墮慳貪，是事為不可。」是故始從一而開一，終從一而歸一。

First, explaining opening and merging in terms of a single dharma: "In the buddha-lands of the ten directions, there is only the teaching of the single vehicle." Not understanding this teaching, it is entirely raw, like fresh milk. If one wishes to open it, one opens the perfect to bring forth the single vehicle of the distinctive teaching. If one does not understand the distinctive, it is likewise entirely raw, like milk, and one opens the single vehicle of the shared teaching. If one does not understand the shared, it is likewise entirely raw, like milk, and one opens the single vehicle of the tripiṭaka teaching. Although opened into four, they are all called the one great-vehicle dharma, as all seek the buddha fruition. If one attains understanding of the single vehicle of the tripiṭaka teaching, the milk transforms into curd, up to entering the original single vehicle (and so forth). If one does not understand the four single vehicles, one further opens from the tripiṭaka the teachings of the śrāvaka and [pratyekabuddha] branches. If they sever the fetters and realize the fruits, their minds gradually becoming unobstructed and broad, then setting aside the two vehicles, one speaks only of the great vehicle seeking buddhahood, gradually purging them with the *Prajñā[-pāramitā]* to condition and mature their minds; then one abolishes the expedient single vehicles and sets up solely the perfect and real single vehicle. Therefore it is said: "According to my original vow, I have now fulfilled it: transforming all sentient beings, causing them all to enter the buddha path. If I transformed them with the lesser vehicle, I would fall into stinginess and greed; this matter cannot be." Therefore, beginning from one, one opens the one; in the end, from one, one returns to the one.