法華玄論 6.65

6.65

Answer: The three vehicles were originally opened for the sake of people of the two vehicles. Initially, converting them through the one vehicle was unsuccessful; therefore, within the one Buddha vehicle, three were distinguished and taught, expecting that through the three vehicles they could be converted. Now it is clarified that there are no three, only one; therefore, people of the two vehicles search for and demand the three. Moreover, this sūtra is from beginning to end taught precisely for people of the two vehicles; hence people of the two vehicles demand the three. Now I shall list in detail textual proofs from the three cycles [of preaching]. The "Expedient Means" chapter says: "I announce to the assembly of śrāvakas and those seeking the pratyekabuddha vehicle: the Buddha, by the power of skillful means, demonstrates the teaching of the three vehicles." Since he announces this only to people of the two vehicles, clarifying that the three are taught as a skillful means, and does not announce it to bodhisattvas, we know that the teaching of the three vehicles was for people of the two vehicles. Next, at the beginning of the three requests, it clarifies only that people of the two vehicles were agitated in their clinging and gave rise to doubt, not mentioning bodhisattvas; hence we know that the two vehicles doubted that there were no three and only one. Third, the buddhas of the ten directions exhorted Śākyamuni, saying: "Those of little wisdom who take delight in lesser dharmas do not believe in themselves that they can become buddhas. Therefore, using skillful means, you distinguish and explain the various fruits." It does not clarify distinguishing and explaining three for the sake of bodhisattvas; hence we know that the three were distinguished and explained for people of the two vehicles. "Various fruits" refers to the fruits of the three vehicles. Next, in the text of the second cycle, Śāriputra reported that both learners and non-learners had fallen into doubt and regret, and requested the Buddha to preach again. It does not clarify that bodhisattvas doubted, regretted, and requested the Buddha to preach again; hence we know that the preaching in the second cycle was solely for people of the two vehicles. It says: "I now wish again to cause you to recall the path of your original vows that you practiced; therefore, for the sake of the śrāvakas, I preach the Mahāyāna sūtra called the Saddharmapuṇḍarīka-sūtra." It does not clarify preaching it for the sake of bodhisattvas. The text of the third cycle says: "If the Tathāgata knows himself that the time of nirvāṇa has arrived and the assembly is pure, he preaches this sūtra for them: In the world there are no two vehicles that attain extinction; only by the one Buddha vehicle is extinction attained." It also says: "There is only the one Buddha vehicle; for the sake of a resting place, two are taught." Proved by the texts of these three cycles, we know that opening the one into three was solely for people of the two vehicles, and now gathering the three into the one is likewise for the two vehicles. If so, the meaning of demanding the three is also that people of the two vehicles demand them.