法華玄論 6.80

6.80

Answer: The former teaching explained that the three truly exist, and they furthermore regarded themselves as having truly attained the three; therefore they did not demand. The present teaching explains that there are no three; when the assembly heard that there are no three, they immediately gave rise to doubt, and therefore demanded the three. Just as parents deceive a child with an empty fist, saying there is truly something in the hand: the child thinks there truly is, and stops crying; then, knowing the fist is empty, he only then approaches the father to demand it.