摩訶止觀 4.42

4.42

Moreover, upholding the "principle precepts" of emptiness, the provisional, and the middle has three grades, each having upper, middle, and lower. The three grades of being identical to emptiness are: the lower grade is śrāvakas, the middle grade is pratyekabuddhas, and the upper grade is bodhisattvas of the shared teaching. If they regress, they lose them in turn. The three grades of being identical to the provisional are: the lower grade is bodhisattvas of the Tripiṭaka teaching, the middle grade is bodhisattvas emerging into the provisional of the shared teaching, and the upper grade is bodhisattvas of the distinctive teaching. The three grades of being identical to the middle are: the lower grade is bodhisattvas of the distinctive teaching, the middle grade is bodhisattvas of the perfect teaching, and the upper grade is the Buddha. Only the Buddha alone completely possesses pure precepts. Furthermore, the lower grade is the five ranks, the middle is the purification of the six sense faculties, and the upper is entering the first abode. This briefly determines their gradations with respect to contemplating the mind. Contemplating the mind of the middle way is precisely the dharmadhātu; the Mahāyāna completely encompasses all phenomena; this can be grasped through understanding and needs no further wordy text.