請觀音經疏闡義鈔 1.28

1.28

"Evaluating through the three criteria": this is because the beginning and end of cultivation are completely encompassed by the three criteria. That is, one cultivates according to the teaching, and when practice is perfected, one tallies with principle. Because all three criteria have shared and distinct aspects, there are the designations of "shared" and "distinct." These three are precisely the intended meanings of the two designations "shared" and "distinct." If classified by stages: in terms of teaching, it pertains to persons of the stage of nominal identity, because they give rise to understanding upon receiving the teaching; in terms of practice, it pertains to the stages of contemplative practice and resemblance, because they cultivate relying on understanding; in terms of principle, it lies in the first abiding stage, because they partially realize the fundamental principle. However, regarding practice, one must further be flexible: if speaking of embarking upon cultivation, one still abides in nominal identity; only when practice is definitively perfected is it called contemplative practice. Whenever determining stages, one must understand this purport.