[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Buddhist Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha) › [Taishō Tripiṭaka (Chinese Buddhist canon)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho) › [法華義疏](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1721) › [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1721~en-mt) › 8.59 # 法華義疏 8.59 English (machine translation) 8.59 - **Language:** English ### [8.59](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1721~en-mt.8.59) From “Why is this? Only the Tathāgata knows” downward is the second, clarifying that only the Buddha is able to know. As for stating “Why is this?,” it adduces the Buddha’s ability to know to explain and establish sentient beings’ lack of knowledge. Here it clarifies that the Buddha knows four kinds of dharmas: first, he knows four dharmas; next, he knows three dharmas; next, he knows two dharmas; next, he knows one dharma. As for knowing four dharmas, “species” means varieties and distinctions: the kinds of the three vehicles are not the same. “Characteristics” means appearances and forms: for instance, compassion is the characteristic of a bodhisattva, solitary quietude is the characteristic of a pratyekabuddha, and hearing the Dharma from another is the characteristic of a śrāvaka. “Substance” means the substance of the three vehicles: the wisdom of the paths is the substance of a bodhisattva, and omniscience is the substance of the two vehicles, as explained in the “Three Wisdoms Chapter.” “Nature” takes unalterability as its meaning: the wisdom-substances of the past three vehicles each abide in their own allotment without shifting or altering into one another. - [Previous: 8.58](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1721~en-mt.8.58) - [Next: 8.60](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1721~en-mt.8.60) - [Up: 8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1721~en-mt.8) ## Linked texts (1) - [法華義疏](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1721.8.59) — Classical Chinese --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1721~en-mt.8.59](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1721~en-mt.8.59) · Pramāṇa