[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Buddhist Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha) › [Taishō Tripiṭaka (Chinese Buddhist canon)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho) › [起信論疏筆削記](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1848) › 17.34 # 起信論疏筆削記 17.34 起信論疏筆削記 17.34 - **Language:** Classical Chinese ### [17.34](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1848.17.34) 二中，疏　促等者，謂有一類眾生根性怯弱，聞說佛道長遠，久受勤苦乃可得成，却生退屈，不肯修進。是故菩薩為此眾生，示現超越位地，不經劫數，證於佛果，令彼思齊，發心進趣，如釋迦六年修行便成正覺，是茲例矣。又如善財一生、龍女一念等。延等者，為有一類眾生亦欲進趣，將謂佛果容易而成，懈怠因循，不能勤勇，若復示其超果，轉令懈慢，終不成就。是故菩薩為彼說言：「我於無量劫中修行，方成佛道。」以茲警策，不令懈怠，使其勤進，故《法華》云：智積菩薩言：「我見釋迦如來於無量劫難行苦行，積功累德，求菩提道，未曾止息。」即其類也。然促中云示、延中但云說者，促在一生可令現見，延歷多劫但說令知也。結者，根器既多，方便非一，口不可說，心不可測，故云無數等。故《法華》云：佛知眾生有種種欲，深心所著，隨其本性，以種種因緣譬喻言辭方便說法，如此皆為得一佛乘，一切種智故。是諸眾生從佛聞法，究竟皆得一切種智。 > Under the second, the commentary states: "Shortening..." and so forth: there is a class of sentient beings whose faculties are timid and weak; hearing that the Buddha-path is long and distant and can only be accomplished after enduring long and bitter toil, they develop regress and hesitation, unwilling to cultivate and advance. Therefore, for the sake of these sentient beings, the bodhisattva manifests transcending stages and grounds without passing through kalpas to realize the Buddha-fruit, causing them to emulate it and arouse their minds to advance. Śākyamuni practicing for six years and thereupon accomplishing correct enlightenment is an example of this. Furthermore, it is like Sudhana in a single lifetime, or the dragon girl in a single thought. "Extending..." and so forth: there is a class of sentient beings who also wish to advance, but deem the Buddha-fruit easy to accomplish; being indolent and procrastinating, they cannot be diligent and brave. If one were to show them transcending to the fruit, it would further cause them to be lax and arrogant, ultimately achieving nothing. Therefore, the bodhisattva tells them: "I cultivated for immeasurable kalpas before accomplishing the Buddha-path." Using this to admonish them, not letting them become indolent, and causing them to advance diligently. Hence the Lotus Sūtra says: Bodhisattva Wisdom Accumulation said, "I see that Śākyamuni Tathāgata, during immeasurable kalpas of difficult and bitter practices, accumulated merit and gathered virtue, seeking the path to bodhi without ever resting." This is of that kind. However, in shortening it says "manifests," while in extending it only says "tells": shortening can be made visible in a single lifetime, while extending over many kalpas can only be told to make them know. The conclusion: since capacities are many, expedients are not singular; mouth cannot speak them, mind cannot measure them, hence it says "countless," and so forth. Thus the Lotus Sūtra says: "The Buddha knows that sentient beings have various desires, deeply attached in their minds; following their original natures, by various causes, metaphors, and words, he preaches the Dharma through expedients. All these are for the sake of obtaining the One Buddha Vehicle and the knowledge of all modes." These sentient beings, hearing the Dharma from the Buddha, ultimately all attain the knowledge of all modes. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) - [Previous: 17.33](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1848.17.33) - [Next: 17.35](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1848.17.35) - [Up: 17](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1848.17) ## Translations (1) - [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1848~en-mt.17.34) — English, machine translation ## Linked texts (1) - [妙法蓮華經](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.mahayanasutra.saddharmapundarika*zh-kumarajiva.1.57) — Classical Chinese --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1848.17.34](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1848.17.34) · Pramāṇa