大般涅槃經義記 4.177

4.177

後中先喻，次合顯法，後簡闡提。喻中，「如醫」喻佛如來，「善知八」等喻自知法，「善知八術」喻知小乘，「後過八術」喻知大乘。下明教他，先教小乘，「如是漸」下喻教大乘。

In the latter, it first gives the simile, next applies it to reveal the Dharma, and finally excludes icchantikas. In the simile, "like a physician" is a simile for the Buddha, the Tathāgata; "well versed in the eight" and so forth is a simile for his own knowledge of dharmas; "well versed in the eight arts" is a simile for knowing the Hīnayāna; "later surpassing the eight arts" is a simile for knowing the Mahāyāna. Below, it explains teaching others: first teaching the Hīnayāna; from "thus gradually" below is a simile for teaching the Mahāyāna.