法華玄論 5.58

5.58

Answer: Some say that in the first round of doctrinal teaching, those of superior capacity hear and immediately awaken, those of middling capacity shift to become superior capacity, and those of inferior capacity advance to become middling capacity; in the second round of teaching, those of middling capacity awaken along with those of superior capacity, and those of inferior capacity shift to become superior capacity; in the third round of teaching, those of inferior capacity awaken along with those of superior capacity. Some say: distinguishing the superior, middling, and inferior capacities in terms of the three vehicles, bodhisattvas are of superior capacity, pratyekabuddhas are of middling capacity, and śrāvakas are of inferior capacity. Within śrāvakas there are inherently superior, middling, and inferior capacities, and it is in terms of these three capacities that there is the teaching of three rounds. Although they attain awakening, there are still distinctions of sharp and dull. Just as a knife chopping an object: that which cuts through in one chop is superior, that which cuts through in two chops is middling, and that which cuts through in three chops is inferior; although both cut through, there is a distinction of sharp and dull. Although they attain awakening earlier or later, there is also a distinction of sharp and dull. Evaluation: The latter view grasps the purport of the sūtra. How is this known? When persons of superior capacity attain awakening, middling and inferior have not yet awakened; how could they have already shifted their capacities?