法華玄論 2.24

2.24

The sixth is adducing the two stages to correspond to the two saṃsāras. Previously, converging the three into the one allowed escape from the two stages: because the human and heavenly vehicles enter the one vehicle, they leave the stage of ordinary beings; because the śrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas enter the one vehicle, they leave the stage of the two vehicles. Having left both the ordinary and noble stages, they arouse the bodhicitta and gradually cultivate, entering the ten faiths, the ten abodes, the ten practices, the ten dedications, the ten stages, and up to equal enlightenment; in this way, the meaning of the cause is complete. If the fruition were still impermanent, then one would not yet have escaped the two deaths; if one has not escaped the two deaths, one has not yet crossed the five hundred yojanas; if one has crossed the five hundred, one has already escaped impermanence. Furthermore, if the fruition has not yet escaped the two deaths, the fruition is not yet complete; if the fruition is not yet complete, the cause of the ten stages is also not fulfilled, and the rationale of explaining the cause would not hold either. What is clarified now is that the first section causes all sentient beings to leave the stages of ordinary beings and the two vehicles, to arouse the bodhicitta, and to cultivate bodhisattva practices up to equal enlightenment. The latter chapter clarifies that the fruition eternally eradicates the five entrenchments and completely overturns the two deaths, so the meaning of the fruition is complete. Because the cause is fulfilled and the fruition is complete, this sūtra is ultimate.