妙法蓮華經玄義 6.42

6.42

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.