法華義疏 7.75

7.75

Wholesome roots arise due to three reasons: First, it is the nature of phenomena that when experiencing manifold sufferings one aspires to seek nirvāṇa; therefore, when suffering reaches its peak, one seeks release. Second, sentient beings have once received the great conversion, and the seeds of wholesome roots cannot decay and perish. Third, Buddhas and bodhisattvas have three kinds of conversion: 1. the initial conversion, which was expounding the Mahāyāna for them in the past; 2. the pursuing conversion: when sentient beings turn away from the conversion, give rise to delusion, and drift in birth and death, Buddhas and bodhisattvas follow them into birth and death to transform and liberate them; 3. the ultimate conversion: bringing them to attain Buddhahood before finally letting go. Here, it is the pursuing conversion among the three conversions; therefore, they are able to generate wholesome roots.