法華玄論 1.84

1.84

Furthermore, this sūtra is preached in order to demonstrate the characteristic of the middle way that transcends the two extremes. As for the 'two extremes': according to the former five vehicles, there are two kinds of extremes. First, the human and heavenly vehicles are the worldly extreme, while the remaining three vehicles are the world-transcending extreme. Followers of the teachings thought that the worldly vehicles were different from the world-transcending vehicle, and the world-transcending vehicle was different from the worldly vehicles; hence they were called the two extremes. Coming to the teaching of the Lotus, it clarifies that even the slightest good enters into the one vehicle, and there is no longer a difference between worldly and world-transcending vehicles; hence it is called the middle way. Furthermore, formerly it was said that there is a Hinayāna distinct from the Mahāyāna, and a Mahāyāna distinct from the Hinayāna; these are also called the two extremes. When the teaching of the Lotus arises, it converges these great and small to enter into the one vehicle together, so that there are no longer separate vehicles of great and small; hence it is called the middle way.