大般涅槃經義記 6.305

6.305

第四隨機起化喻中，文別有四：一喻如來昇兜率時觀物機病，先別後結，難識叵合；二「我若不往非良師」下，喻佛下生閻浮提時觀物機病，先別後結，事亦難識；三「爾時即入病人舍」下喻出家時觀物機病，出家先於外道法中修習所行名入病舍；四「醫見是已問瞻病」下喻成道後觀機為說，於中先別，「爾時良醫見如是」下總結難治。別中，初問，次嗅，後觸。初問，喻明心行不定，親化菩薩如瞻病者，如來對問彼具答之。次嗅，喻明口言不定，嗅喻惡言、香喻善語。後觸，喻明身行不定。

In the fourth, the analogy of undertaking conversion in accordance with capacities, there are four distinct passages: first, it is an analogy for the Tathāgata observing the illness of beings' capacities when ascending to Tuṣita, first distinguishing and then concluding, which is difficult to recognize and cannot easily be aligned; second, from "If I do not go, I am not a good master..." onward, it is an analogy for the Buddha observing the illness of beings' capacities when descending to be born in Jambudvīpa, first distinguishing and then concluding, an affair which is also difficult to recognize; third, from "Then he entered the patient's house..." onward, it is an analogy for observing the illness of beings' capacities at the time of leaving home—at the time of leaving home, first practicing and training amidst non-Buddhist dharmas is called "entering the sick person's house"; fourth, from "The physician, having seen this, questioned the caretaker..." onward, it is an analogy for observing capacities and preaching for them after attaining the Path, wherein he first distinguishes, and from "Then the good physician, having seen such..." onward, generally concludes that it is difficult to cure. Within the distinct treatment, first he asks, next he smells, and finally he touches. First, asking is an analogy to clarify that mental activities are not fixed—the bodhisattva who intimately converts is like the caretaker; when the Tathāgata asks him, he answers fully. Next, smelling is an analogy to clarify that verbal speech is not fixed—a foul smell is an analogy for evil speech, while fragrance is an analogy for good speech. Finally, touching is an analogy to clarify that bodily actions are not fixed.