法華玄贊義決 1.278

1.278

若許實聲聞有迴心作佛，云何《維摩經》云我等聲聞猶如敗種無所復用，《入大乘論》及《菩提資糧論》並不許此。《法華經》中有實聲聞，悉變化故。猶如種未必不生故，此意無惑。更不受生，云何修行得三祇劫？

If it is accepted that real śrāvakas turn their minds to become buddhas, why does the Vimalakīrti-sūtra say, "We śrāvakas are like rotten seeds, of no further use," and neither the *Madhyamānusāra-śāstra* (*Ru dacheng lun*) nor the *Bodhisambhāra-śāstra* (*Puti ziliang lun*) permits this? In the Lotus Sūtra there are no real śrāvakas; all are phantom manifestations. Just as a seed does not necessarily fail to sprout, this meaning is beyond doubt. If they do not take birth again, how do they practice and attain through three asaṃkhyeya kalpas?