華嚴一乘法界圖 1.60

1.60

Question: How is it known that apart from the Three Vehicles there is separately a delimitation of the One Vehicle of the Perfect Teaching? As the sūtra below says: "Among all classes of living beings in all worlds, few desire to seek the Śrāvaka Path; those who seek the Pratyekabuddha [Path] are even fewer; those who seek the Great Vehicle are extremely rare. Seeking the Great Vehicle is still easy; being able to believe in this dharma is exceedingly difficult." "If sentient beings are inferior and their minds discouraged, they are shown the Śrāvaka Path to lead them out of all suffering. If there are sentient beings whose faculties are somewhat sharp and bright, who take joy in the dharma of causes and conditions, the Pratyekabuddha [Path] is expounded for them. If there are those with sharp and bright faculties and great compassion, who bring benefit to sentient beings, the Bodhisattva Path is expounded for them. If there are those with the unsurpassed mind who resolutely delight in the Great Matter, they are shown the Buddha body and expounded the inexhaustible Buddha-dharma." The holy words are like a constantly illuminating jewel; there is no need to be astonished.