妙法蓮華經文句 1.28

1.28

Furthermore, the interim is the planting, the four flavors are the maturing, and the royal city is the liberation; these are those who currently open, demonstrate, awaken to, and enter. Furthermore, the present life is the planting, the next life is the maturing, and later lives are the liberation; these are those who will be delivered in the future. Although this is not yet the origin gate, it is spoken according to the intended meaning. Within this, to distinguish the three times or nine times at each juncture as planting, maturing, and liberation would likewise present no obstacle. Why is this? It is spoken freely through the Tathāgata's power of sovereign supernatural penetrations, through the power of lion-like dash and great vigorous majesty. Because of these reasons, there is an introductory section. The assembly, seeing the rare and marvelous omens, gazes upward in eager thirst, wishing to hear the complete path; the Buddha seizes the opportune capacity to set forth conversion, opening, demonstrating, awakening to, and entering the knowledge and vision of a Buddha; hence there is the main discourse section. Not only did those of that time obtain great benefit, but five hundred years later people will also distantly partake of the wondrous path; hence there is the transmission section.