妙法蓮華經玄義 6.42

6.42

三、明機感不同者，即為三意：一、就四句論不同。二、就三十六句論不同。三、就十法界論不同。但眾生根性百千，諸佛巧應無量，隨其種種得度不同，故文云：「名色各異，種類若干，如上中下根莖葉等，隨其種性，各得生長。」即是機、應不同意也。

Third, clarifying the differences in spiritual capacity and stimulus comprises three points: first, discussing the differences with reference to four positions; second, discussing the differences with reference to thirty-six positions; third, discussing the differences with reference to the ten dharma realms. But sentient beings' faculties and dispositions are of hundreds of thousands of kinds, and the Buddhas' skillful responses are immeasurable; they are delivered differently according to their various sorts. Hence the text says: 'Their names and forms are each different, of several types, like superior, middling, and inferior roots, stems, leaves, and so on; according to their seed-nature, each attains growth.' This is the meaning of the differences in capacity and response.