妙法蓮華經玄義 5.140

5.140

眾生機宜不同，應隨機設逗，悉檀方便引接耳。隨俗故異，稱便宜故異，逐對治故異，令人入道故異。朝三暮四，撫眾狙而皆悅，苦塗水洗，養嬰兒以適時。善巧赴機，故方圓任物，譬千車而同轍，豈守一而疑諸？

The spiritual capacities and aptitudes of sentient beings are not identical; one must set forth teachings to match their capacities, using the provisional expedients of the siddhāntas to guide and receive them. They are different in following worldly convention; they are different in according with what is fitting; they are different in pursuing remedies; they are different in causing people to enter the Path. 'Three in the morning and four in the evening' appeased all the monkeys and made them rejoice; smeared with bitter [herbs] or washed with water, one nurtures an infant according to the proper time. Skillfully responding to capacities, one adapts to things whether square or round; it is like a thousand carts sharing the same rut—how could one cling to one and doubt all the rest?