大般涅槃經義記 3.84

3.84

問曰：四依初劣後勝，何故得義初多後少？釋云：麁義浮淺易知，故初得多；細義難精，故後得少。又復麁者隨詮相別，少為多分；細義就實，階降相微，多為少分，分數雖少，其義實廣。

Question: The four reliances are inferior at first and superior later; why is the meaning attained greater at first and less later? Explanation: Coarse meanings are superficial and easy to know, so initially one attains much; subtle meanings are difficult to master, so later one attains little. Furthermore, coarse ones are differentiated in accordance with the marks of the verbal explanations, so a small amount [of reality] is made into many parts; subtle meanings are based on the real, where gradations are minute, so a great amount [of reality] is made into few parts—though the fraction is small, its meaning is truly vast.