大乘義章 13.78

13.78

次明所為。如論中說「小乘之人為入涅槃，故修九想。菩薩為憐一切眾生，集諸佛法而度脫之，故修九想。」九想之義，厥趣粗爾。

Next, their purpose is clarified. As it is said in the treatise: "People of the Hīnayāna cultivate the nine notions in order to enter nirvāṇa. Bodhisattvas cultivate the nine notions out of pity for all sentient beings, gathering all buddha-dharmas in order to deliver them." The general import of the nine notions is roughly this.