妙法蓮華經玄義 8.36

8.36

As for distinguishing the sūtra throughout the various teachings: if one says that the principle is beyond words and characters, that words and characters are conventional, that words are relied upon to explain the principle, that the principle can be the sūtra while words and characters are not the sūtra, and that the six sense data and so forth are all explanations of the sūtra and not the sūtra proper—this is merely the sūtra according to the Tripiṭaka [teaching]. If there is no explanation of the meaning of liberation apart from words and characters, if the intrinsic nature of words and characters being free is itself liberation, and if the six sense data are identical with the true mark, without duality or difference, as explained above—this is the sūtra according to the perfect teaching. Making this explanation while bearing the three provisional expedients is the sūtra according to the Vaipulya. Making this explanation while bearing two provisional expedients is the sūtra according to the Prajñā. Making this explanation while bearing one provisional expedient is the sūtra according to the Avataṃsaka.