勸發菩提心集 3.58

3.58

There are four kinds of skillful means to universally gather, tame, and mature sentient beings. What are the four? First, the skillful means of gathering in conformity; second, the skillful means of capable gathering; third, the skillful means of causing entry; fourth, the skillful means of causing compliance. Practising dāna is called the skillful means of gathering in conformity. Why? First, one benefits sentient beings by giving various goods and wealth, wishing to cause them to listen to and receive what is spoken and practice according to instruction. Next, if bodhisattvas practice kind words toward those who are foolish in various respects, wishing to eradicate all their foolishness without remainder, they cause them to accept and examine the correct principles; such kind words are called the skillful means of capable gathering. If bodhisattvas know that those sentient beings have already accepted and examined the correct principles, they next practice beneficial action: pulling those sentient beings out of unwholesome states, advising, guiding, taming, establishing, and grounding them in wholesome states; this is called the skillful means of causing entry. When bodhisattvas have caused them to enter through such skillful means, they finally practice together with them in proper undertakings, causing them to comply. For this reason, those who are to be transformed will not say: 'You yourself lack pure faith, śīla, wisdom, renunciation, and discernment; how can you rely on goodness to advise and guide others?' [The bodhisattva] admonishes, rebukes, excludes, and reminds them; therefore, identical action is called the skillful means of causing compliance.