妙法蓮華經玄贊 4.22

4.22

The Eulogy: In this conferring of prophecies, the fourth is to make them abide in the Single Vehicle. Taking this Single Vehicle to preach the Dharma for the assembly, there is entirely no second of the pratyekabuddha nor third of the śrāvaka; because the sequence proceeds from superior to inferior, not according to the depth, ease, or difficulty of practice. Therefore, in the first cycle of this sūtra it says: "The remaining two are not real"; in the second cycle it says: "Secretly sent two persons"; and in the third cycle it says: "Because of a place of rest, two are spoken of," without mentioning three. Hence we know it is not an absolute absence of three vehicles, but simply must be understood according to the meaning explained now: unifying the teaching, principle, practice, and fruition they practiced as the present great cause, encouraging them to abide in the Great Vehicle.