妙法蓮華經文句 3.18

3.18

From "I in the past" onward is the second part: answering by citing what was briefly seen in the past. First, he reflected through his own wisdom; now, by citing what was briefly seen, it is slightly clearer than before, adducing this to answer the question regarding other lands. The five portents of this land do not extend to other lands; only the single portent of emitting light universally illuminates the east; the answer citing what was briefly seen exclusively answers the emission of light, so we know it answers the question regarding other lands. Seeing the present as like the past, the past is just like the present. "Desiring to cause all sentient beings to hear and know": this refers to the two wisdoms of hearing and reflection, and also the two practices of faith and Dharma, gathering the innumerable to return to the one, changing the teaching and principle of the three vehicles, destroying ignorance through six stages, and so forth; the Path of the buddhas is identical in opening, demonstrating, awakening to, and entering the Buddha knowledge and vision; hence it is called "the Dharma difficult to believe for all the world".