妙法蓮華經玄義 4.155

4.155

從初釋迦至罽那尸棄佛時，名第一阿僧祇劫。常離女人身，亦不自知當作佛、不作佛。準望二乘位，應在五停心、別相總相念處位中，以慈悲心，行六度行也。從罽那尸棄佛至然燈佛時，名第二阿僧祇劫。爾時雖自知作佛，而口不說，準望此位，應在煗法位中，即是性地、順忍，初心之位。既有證法之信，必知作佛。而用煗解，修行六度，心未分明，故口不向他說也。從然燈佛至毘婆尸佛時，名第三阿僧祇劫。是時內心了了，自知作佛，口自發言，無所畏難。準此位，應在頂法位中，修行六度，四諦解明，如登山頂，了見四方，故口向他說也。

From the original Śākyamuni up to the time of the Buddha Kauṇḍinya-Śikhin is called the first asaṃkhyeya kalpa. They are always free from a female body, yet they do not personally know whether they will become a buddha or not become a buddha. In comparison with the stages of the two vehicles, this should correspond to the stages of the five meditations for stilling the mind, the specific marks, and the general marks of mindfulness, practicing the six pāramitās with a compassionate mind. From the Buddha Kauṇḍinya-Śikhin up to the Buddha Dīpaṅkara is called the second asaṃkhyeya kalpa. At that time, although they personally know they will become a buddha, they do not speak of it with their mouth. In comparison, this stage should correspond to the stage of the dharma of heat, which is the stage of the stage of nature, compliant patience, and initial mind. Having faith in realizing the Dharma, they must know they will become a buddha. Yet using the understanding of heat to cultivate the six pāramitās, their mind is not yet fully clear; hence their mouth does not speak to others. From the Buddha Dīpaṅkara up to the Buddha Vipaśyin is called the third asaṃkhyeya kalpa. At that time, their inner mind is completely clear, they personally know they will become a buddha, and their mouth speaks of it spontaneously without fear or difficulty. In comparison, this stage should correspond to the stage of the dharma of summits, cultivating the six pāramitās. Their understanding of the four truths is clear, like ascending a mountain summit and seeing clearly in the four directions; hence their mouth speaks to others.