法華玄論 3.59

3.59

Answer: The treatise master says: 'Prajñā was not spoken at one time or in one assembly.' Inferring from these words, the earlier portion clearly stating retrogression precedes the Lotus, and the later portion on non-retrogression follows the Lotus; hence the two statements do not contradict each other. Furthermore, among the five inconceivables, the Buddha is the most inconceivable. As the Mahāparinirvāṇa-sūtra says: 'Some see the Buddha entering extinction tonight; some only begin to inquire after fifteen days; some only take nirvāṇa after one year.' The Xiangfa jueyi jing says: 'Some see nirvāṇa between the twin trees today; some see him taking birth and leaving home; some see him as Vairocana abiding in the Lotus Store; some see the Buddha's body filling empty space.' If so, one cannot determine that Prajñā is before and the Lotus after, or the Lotus before and Prajñā after; they are heard according to the time and seen in accordance with spiritual capacity.