華嚴五十要問答 1.14

1.14

Question: In the various teachings, how do all sentient beings—oneself and others—relate in terms of earlier or later attainment of buddhahood?

Answer: According to the Hīnayāna teaching, only one person becomes a buddha. If others become buddhas, it is at different times, earlier or later; if they transform sentient beings, they become buddhas at a later time, because there are no buddhas of the ten directions. According to the triyāna teaching, there are buddhas of the ten directions; therefore, they can become buddhas simultaneously in other places. If it is other sentient beings, the transforming agent and the transformed can also become buddhas simultaneously, because advancement and regression are indeterminate. According to the Ekayāna teaching, in thought-moment after thought-moment one becomes a buddha, completely exhausting the sentient beings to be transformed. In all stages, from the ten abodes onward up to bodhi, they completely exhaust the realm of sentient beings; the attainment of stages is all-pervading without earlier or later, because they share the one great tree of pratītyasamutpāda.