大乘法苑義林章 6.4

6.4

Regarding clarifying their types, there are six types: first, identical essence; second, distinct essence; third, the one vehicle; fourth, the three vehicles; fifth, the ultimate; sixth, the institutional. As for identical essence, the Śrīmālādevī-sūtra says: "Taking refuge in the ultimate truth is the final refuge. There is no other Tathāgata, no other two refuges; the Tathāgata is himself the three refuges." The tenth chapter of the Nirvāṇa-sūtra says: "If one can consider the Three Jewels as eternally abiding and identical to the ultimate truth, this is the supreme vow of all Buddhas." It also says: "If one conceives of different marks regarding the Three Jewels, one should know that all of this person's precepts are incomplete; they cannot even attain the bodhi of the two vehicles, much less attain Great Bodhi." It also says: "The Buddha is the Dharma, the Dharma is the Saṅgha, up to Buddha-nature is the Dharmakāya"; hence they are called "identical essence."