法華義疏 3.280

3.280

There are four propositions: first, those who began by practicing and studying the Mahāyāna and ultimately also heard the Mahāyāna—such people have profound prior faith. Second, those who began by practicing the Mahāyāna, but midway inclined their intent toward this [lesser path], so he initially taught them the Hīnayāna, and as their small mind gradually changed, he ultimately taught them the Mahāyāna—such people, hearing the Lotus, also believe. Third, those who originally studied the Mahāyāna, but later, upon hearing the Mahāyāna taught, retreated to take up the Hīnayāna, as with the sixty bodhisattvas in the Pañcaviṃśatisāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra who became arhats; furthermore, reaching the Nirvāṇa Sūtra, although they heard of the buddha-nature, they still became arhats. By this analogy, among those who heard the Lotus there were also those who became arhats; such people, hearing the Mahāyāna, also believe. Fourth, there are those who began by studying the Hīnayāna and ultimately heard the Mahāyāna taught; these people mostly do not generate faith, because having practiced the Hīnayāna for a long time, hearing the Mahāyāna goes against their original disposition, and so they do not give rise to faith.