妙法蓮華經玄贊 1.8

1.8

Responding to the cause of vows: the "Expedient Means Chapter" says: "Śāriputra, listen well! I originally made a vow, desiring to cause all multitudes to be equal to me without distinction. As I formerly vowed, it has now been fulfilled: transforming all sentient beings, I cause them to enter the Buddha Path." The "Span of Life Chapter" says: "I constantly consider this: By what means can I cause sentient beings to enter the Buddha Path and quickly accomplish the Buddha body?" Whether in the past causal stage or in the present fruitional position, he constantly made vows to cause sentient beings to enter the Buddha Path just like himself; therefore, responding to his fundamental vows, he expounded this sūtra; it was also to cause sentient beings to make this vow, and because practices and vows concorded, it brought about his appearance in the world.