法界圖記叢髓錄 2.55

2.55

法記云：且護分別故順三乘說等者，直令三乘之人捨其所習入於一乘，恐難信受，故以方便寄順其執護分別也。一云：雖下四教總是實德，若言小乘及初教等即是一乘，則稱其所習增分別，故寄彼三乘差別病盡頓教義說，故云且護分別。故順三乘說，蓋是智者勝妙能也。

Fa's Record says: Regarding 'tentatively protecting discrimination and thus speaking in accordance with the three vehicles, etc.': if one directly caused people of the three vehicles to abandon what they have practiced and enter the One Vehicle, it is feared they would find it difficult to believe and accept; therefore, by upāya, it tentatively accords with their attachments to protect discrimination. One [master] says: 'Although the lower four teachings are entirely true virtues, if one said that the Hīnayāna, initial teaching, and so forth are precisely the One Vehicle, it would match what they have practiced and increase discrimination. Therefore, relying on the sudden teaching meaning where the sickness of distinction in those three vehicles is exhausted, it speaks [thus]; hence it says, "tentatively protecting discrimination and thus speaking in accordance with the three vehicles." This is truly the superior and marvelous ability of the wise.'