[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) › [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1848~en-mt) › 17.34 # 起信論疏筆削記 17.34 English (machine translation) 17.34 - **Language:** English ### [17.34](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1848~en-mt.17.34) 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. - [Previous: 17.33](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1848~en-mt.17.33) - [Next: 17.35](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1848~en-mt.17.35) - [Up: 17](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1848~en-mt.17) ## Linked texts (1) - [起信論疏筆削記](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1848.17.34) — Classical Chinese --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1848~en-mt.17.34](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1848~en-mt.17.34) · Pramāṇa