維摩經玄疏 4.29

4.29

First, clarifying the provisional and the ultimate: "provisional" is a name for temporary application, and "ultimate" has the meaning of permanent bestowal. The pāramitā of expedient means accords with beings' sentiments to provide proximate benefit, hence it is named "provisional"; the pāramitā of wisdom matches the principle and is ultimate, hence it is named "ultimate." Thus the three teachings temporarily accommodate beings' sentiments, hence they are named provisional; the perfect teaching provides ultimate benefit to beings, hence it is named ultimate. In differentiating the provisional and the ultimate, four meanings are required: first, clarifying that all is neither provisional nor ultimate; second, clarifying that all is provisional; third, clarifying that all is ultimate; fourth, clarifying that all has both provisional and ultimate.