大般涅槃經義記 1.24

1.24

問曰：無我是勝，有我不如，何不從勝，就劣說我？答：化我眾生法須如是，若不說我，何由可得標別彼此，令人識知？是故至佛化我眾生皆自說我。

Question: Selflessness is superior, while having a self is inferior; why not follow the superior instead of speaking of 'I' according to the inferior? Answer: The Dharma for transforming living beings who cling to a self must be like this. If one did not speak of 'I', by what means could one demarcate and distinguish this from that, enabling people to recognize them? Therefore, even the Buddha, when transforming living beings who cling to a self, speaks of 'I' himself.