妙法蓮華經玄贊 8.5

8.5

Eulogy: This speaks of the Single Vehicle. As for vehicles, teaching four is the definitive meaning, while teaching one is expedient means. The Saṃdhinirmocana-sūtra says: 'Character, arising, and the ultimate truth have no intrinsic nature; all this I have revealed. If one does not know this esoteric intention of the Buddha, one falls away from the correct path and cannot progress.' It is in this context that the Single Vehicle is established, not that there is no difference in the nature of sentient beings. The Śrīmālādevī-sūtra also says: 'Good sons and others who uphold the true Dharma are capable of carrying four kinds of heavy burdens exceeding the great earth, namely: maturing sentient beings devoid of hearing and devoid of Dharma through the roots of good of humans and devas.' This corresponds to what is spoken of here as small herbs among the three kinds. Bestowing the Śrāvaka Vehicle on those who seek the śrāvaka path, and bestowing the Pratyekabuddha Vehicle on those who seek solitary awakening, correspond together to the medium herbs. Bestowing the Great Vehicle on those who seek the Great Vehicle corresponds to the large herbs. It also says: 'If the Tathāgata, following their inclinations, speaks by expedient means, there is only the Single Vehicle and no other vehicle.' Therefore, one knows that in terms of principle, speaking of one is provisional, and speaking of four is real. The Saṃdhinirmocana-sūtra states: 'Because there is no absence of distinction among the natures of sentient beings.' Now in this sūtra, in order to transform those who have retreated and again generate the great mind, it speaks of the single reality while the two are provisional; waiting for their capacities to ripen and the five conditions to be complete, only then does it state that through the two vehicles there is no attainment of extinction, but only through the Single Buddha Vehicle does one attain extinction. In the Mahāparinirvāṇa-sūtra, it is said that all śrāvakas will become buddhas, and also that none will become buddhas. The Bhagavat in both cases stated: 'You do not understand my intention.' Therefore, being able to comprehend the sūtra's intention in this way, one should also properly accord with the intention of buddhas and bodhisattvas. However, in this present assembly, most have the nature of having retreated; therefore it speaks of the single reality while the two are provisional.