妙法蓮華經玄義 4.204

4.204

斷伏高下，依《大品》三觀者，於次第義便也。對觀行法門，依《涅槃》五行者，正是末代入道所宜也。何者？別教明觀行有二種：一者、不共二乘說，如《華嚴》十地論、《地持》九種戒、定、慧，及《攝大乘論》等是也。二者、共二乘說，如《方等》、《大品》、《中論》、《釋論》是也。今《涅槃》五行，從凡至極，故是末代行用為要也。

That the heights of severance and suppression rely on the three contemplations of the *Pañcaviṃśatisāhasrikā* is convenient for the meaning of gradual sequence. That the correspondences to the contemplation practice and dharma-gates rely on the five practices of the *Mahāparinirvāṇa-sūtra* is precisely what is suitable for entry into the path in the final age. Why is that? In the distinctive teaching, the contemplation practices explained are of two kinds: first, those spoken as unshared with the two vehicles, such as the *Daśabhūmika-śāstra* of the *Avataṃsaka*, the nine kinds of morality, concentration, and wisdom in the *Bodhisattvabhūmi*, and the *Mahāyānasaṃgraha*; second, those spoken as shared with the two vehicles, such as the *Vaipulya*, the *Pañcaviṃśatisāhasrikā*, the *Mūlamadhyamakakārikā*, and the *Mahāprajñāpāramitopadeśa*. Now, the five practices of the *Mahāparinirvāṇa-sūtra* extend from the ordinary being to the ultimate; thus they are essential for practice and application in the final age.