法華玄論 10.24

10.24

答：皆是宿世曾經稟教，但釋迦見其道緣應熟，為之出世。所以初之一引邪歸正，乃至最後引因得果，故有八生乃至證佛者也。

Answer: All are those who had received the teachings in past lives, but Śākyamuni, seeing that their affinity with the Way was ripe, appeared in the world for their sake. Therefore, from the first leading of the deviant to return to the correct, down to the final leading of the cause to attain the fruit, there are those with eight rebirths down to those who realize Buddhahood.