妙法蓮華經玄義 6.56

6.56

In adapting freely to the times, there is also this meaning. The Vimalakīrti-sūtra says: 'At times manifesting wind and fire, illuminating them to make them understand impermanence.' This is an evil response to the good. King Śubhavyūha accepted evil and heterodoxy, and three bodhisattvas responded by becoming his wife and sons; this is a good response to evil. As for a partial response to a perfect capacity: when the vow for omniscient wisdom still remains and is not lost, not being lost is the perfect capacity; teaching the śrāvaka Dharma is the partial response. As for a perfect response to a partial capacity: first drawing them out with three carriages, and later giving them one great carriage, [whereupon they] grasp and understand, saying, 'The supreme cluster of jewels has been obtained naturally without seeking'—this is its meaning. Uprooting suffering and conferring joy can be understood by following these examples (and so forth).