法華玄論 5.76

5.76

Answer: The chapter on the 'Past Deeds of King Subhavyūha' says, 'Eighty-four thousand people parted from dust, cast off defilement, and attained the purity of the Dharma eye.' This meaning should actually apply to both the Great and Small [Vehicles], yet in various scriptures it is mostly taken as the Small Vehicle. Some say: The Śrīmālādevī-sūtra concerns persons of skillful means, hence they know of themselves that they will become buddhas; the Saddharmapuṇḍarīka-sūtra is based on persons of real practice, hence they do not know of themselves. Thus the two scriptures do not contradict each other either. Some say: This matter cannot be conceived or explained. As the Mahāprajñāpāramitopadeśa says in explaining the 'Chapter on Definite Attainment', 'Among the five inconceivables, the Buddha is the most inconceivable. Whether śrāvakas become buddhas or do not become buddhas, only a buddha can understand. Commentators may only discuss other matters; it is only upon attaining buddhahood that this is fully comprehended.' Since Nāgārjuna weighed it and said that it is clearly understood only upon attaining buddhahood, how could ordinary beings wish to decide it exclusively? Later this meaning will be discussed further.