法華義疏 7.87

7.87

Earlier it explained that because the father sought his son without finding him, he stopped midway in a city, which means he sought the son's Mahāyāna wholesome roots without finding them, and manifested a responsive body to convert the bodhisattvas. Now it explains that although he converted the bodhisattvas, in his mind he did not abandon the two vehicles; hence it says "the father constantly thought of his son." If one divides them into categories according to the two conversions, the "not neglecting the family estate" above refers to converting bodhisattvas. From this text onward to the end of the parable, all pertains to converting the two vehicles. Furthermore, he constantly thought of his son because, as [the son] had turned his back on the teaching and dwelled long in birth and death, his great compassion constantly wished to rescue him; therefore, he thought of him.