妙法蓮華經玄義 5.87

5.87

Fascicle nine states: "The buddha-nature of ordinary persons is like newly drawn milk from a cow, wherein blood and milk are not yet distinct. The buddha-nature of śrāvakas is like pure milk. That of pratyekabuddhas is like curdled milk. That of bodhisattvas is like raw or clarified butter. That of the Buddha is like ghee." This is a parable for the five stages of the distinctive teaching.