法華玄論 9.81

9.81

Answer: In the three cycles above, the Buddha had already briefly opened the three bodies, and the śrāvakas of the three capacities had also briefly expressed understanding of the origin and traces, as differentiated in the explanation of the title. Furthermore, before the Lotus [Sūtra], the origin and traces had already been explained, as in the Vimalakīrti[-nirdeśa]'s explanation of the Buddha's body as unconditioned and uncontaminated, and the Great Prajñā[-pāramitā]'s passage on "going and coming are without going and coming." But having heard it formerly they did not awaken; now, through the Lotus [Sūtra], they first begin to understand and express it, and therefore made this narration. This is like formerly hearing the entrustment of wealth in the Great Prajñā[-pāramitā] without awakening, and only now through this teaching expressing understanding. Furthermore, formerly in the assembly of the Avataṃsaka they were like the blind and deaf; now, having awakened to the one vehicle, they have attained the pure eye, and thus see Rocana. Furthermore, the one who transforms bodhisattvas is named Rocana; now that they have become bodhisattvas, why would they not see him? Moreover, speaking in terms of principle, these [disciples] are all practitioners of skillful means, and are transformed persons who, wishing to tame sentient beings and reveal the esoteric teaching, feared that true practitioners hearing the far-reaching extent later would run contrary to their original sentiment; hence they in advance expressed understanding of the two bodies of origin and traces, anticipating hearing of the Lifespan, and thus relied on expressing understanding to secretly assist in propagating [the teaching]. For example, in the first chapter, Maitreya's doubt and Mañjuśrī's resolution explained that ancient Buddhas expounded it before and Śākyamuni would unfold it thereafter, so as to preemptively block the sprouting of doubt and slander and in advance open the intent of the one vehicle.