妙法蓮華經玄義 10.60

10.60

二、漸教相者，如《涅槃》十三云：「從佛出十二部經，從十二部經出修多羅，從修多羅出方等經，從方等經出般若，從般若出涅槃。」如此等意即是漸教相也。

Second, the characteristic of the gradual teaching: as Chapter Thirteen of the Nirvāṇa Sūtra says, 'From the Buddha emerge the twelve divisions of sūtras; from the twelve divisions of sūtras emerge the sūtras; from the sūtras emerge the vaipulya sūtras; from the vaipulya sūtras emerges the prajñā; from the prajñā emerges the nirvāṇa.' Meanings such as these are the characteristic of the gradual teaching.