法華玄論 4.99

4.99

Answer: The seventh bhūmi is the fulfillment of the path of effort, and is therefore called simultaneous; in the sixth bhūmi effort is not yet complete, and so it cannot yet be called simultaneous. Moreover, the sixth bhūmi is prajñā and the seventh bhūmi is skillful means; because the seventh bhūmi is endowed with both wisdoms, it is entitled to be called simultaneous, whereas the sixth bhūmi, though having prajñā, is not yet endowed with skillful means and is therefore not simultaneous. Furthermore, saying that the eighth bhūmi is simultaneous judges simultaneity and non-simultaneity based on effort and effortlessness. Why is this? Although the seventh bhūmi is simultaneous, it still involves effort; the eighth bhūmi achieves it spontaneously without further effort; therefore the eighth bhūmi achieves simultaneity and the seventh bhūmi is not simultaneous. Thus, when reconciling the three sūtras, they do not contradict one another.