大般涅槃經義記 5.372

5.372

喻中，「如人見師子等自然生畏」喻見如來實能益者而得利益，「夜行見杌亦生畏」者喻見菩薩始學慈者亦得利益，此未明佛舉類菩薩。下次合之，「如是諸人自然生畏」牒前夜行見杌生畏，「眾生如是見修慈者自然受樂」約以顯法，「以是」下結。

In the simile, "Just as a person naturally gives rise to fear upon seeing a lion or the like" is an analogy for obtaining benefit upon seeing the Tathāgata, who can truly bring benefit; "seeing a tree stump while walking at night also gives rise to fear" is an analogy for also obtaining benefit upon seeing a bodhisattva who is newly learning benevolence—this illustrates the bodhisattva as a parallel without yet mentioning the Buddha. Next, applying it: "Such people naturally give rise to fear" repeats the earlier giving rise to fear upon seeing a tree stump while walking at night; "Sentient beings in this way naturally experience joy upon seeing one who cultivates benevolence" applies it to reveal the doctrine; from "For this reason" onward is the conclusion.