法華玄論 3.48

3.48

Answer: Generally discussing these two meanings, there are two approaches. First, the Hīnayāna is exoteric, and the Mahāyāna is esoteric. As the fourth fascicle of the treatise says: 'The Buddha's Dharma is of two kinds: first, exoteric; second, esoteric.' In the exoteric teaching, it clarifies that arhats have severed afflictions and are pure, whereas the bodhisattvas have not yet severed afflictions and are not yet pure; thus bodhisattvas do not equal arhats, so the arhats are listed first and the bodhisattvas are placed behind. In the esoteric teaching, it clarifies that bodhisattvas obtain the six supernatural powers, sever all afflictions, and their wisdom is pure, surpassing the two vehicles. This passage precisely takes the shallow and easy of the Hīnayāna as exoteric, and the extremely profound of the Mahāyāna as esoteric. If so, then both Prajñā and the Lotus clarify that bodhisattvas attain the forbearance of non-arising and possess the six supernatural powers, both belonging to the esoteric, extremely profound teaching, while pointing to the Tripiṭaka teaching as exoteric. Second, taking the meaning clarified as still shallow to be exoteric, and the meaning clarified as extremely profound to be esoteric. As the hundredth fascicle says, 'Prajñā only clarifies that bodhisattvas attain buddhahood': Prajñā has already clarified that the Buddha-vehicle is real, but has not yet clarified that the two vehicles attain buddhahood, not yet revealing that the two vehicles are skillful means. With respect to this one point, it is inferior to the Lotus; hence Prajñā is called shallow. The Lotus clarifies that the Buddha-vehicle is real and also reveals that the two vehicles are provisional; hence the Lotus is deep. This is within the Mahāyāna itself having shallowness and depth, thus distinguishing the two teachings of exoteric and esoteric.