妙法蓮華經玄贊 5.84

5.84

Within those who are able to confer prophecy, there are three [aspects]: first, the basis; second, the substance of the prophecy; third, the function of the prophecy. As for the basis, namely those who are able to confer prophecy, they are manifested in six cases: five are prophecies [conferred] by the Tathāgata, and one is a prophecy [conferred] by a bodhisattva. The prophecies of the Tathāgata are: first, individual prophecy; second, collective prophecy; third, subsequent prophecy; fourth, prophecy [showing] no enmity; fifth, universally accessible prophecy. The prophecy [conferred] by a bodhisattva is called prophecy of possessing the cause, as in the 'Chapter on Sadāparibhūta' where he is manifested prostrating and praising them, saying: 'I do not disparage you; you shall all become buddhas'—this reveals that all sentient beings have the buddha-nature. As for prophesying the names of their future buddhas, only a buddha can confer [such] prophecy, while other sages cannot, because they cannot individually know the names, lands, and so forth of the future buddhas, since those below cannot know the matters of those above. However, if it is an implicit conferral of prophecy, a bodhisattva may also do so, because [beings] possess the cause of the buddha-nature. Since this sūtra is so, those who are able to confer prophecy in all sūtras do not exceed these two. The substance of the prophecy refers to the subsequently attained conventional wisdom. The function of the prophecy refers to verbal instruction: taking the other-enjoyment [body], the transformation body, and so forth, within the five aggregates as its substance according to what is appropriate, because the bodhisattvas of the ten grounds and the three vehicles are different.