觀心論疏 2.19

2.19

Answer: For the sake of sentient beings of dull faculties, [the Buddha] gave various different teachings; the wise must grasp their intention. It is like the poor woman who did not know to seek the treasure inside her house and sought it outside; it was because she was dull. The arising of the Nirvāṇa [Sūtra's] teaching was precisely to show her the "hidden storehouse in the mind." Because the śrāvakas were intoxicated, they were unaware of the jewel of the mind within their inner garment; the arising of the Lotus [Sūtra's] teaching was precisely to show it to them, and thus it says: "It is in order to cause sentient beings to disclose the Buddha's knowledge and vision that [the Tathāgata] appears in the world." The Vimalakīrti is also like this, and thus it says: "The liberation of the Buddhas should be sought within the mental actions of sentient beings." The present treatise is also like this: it also shows sentient beings the hidden storehouse in their minds; therefore it raises the thirty-six questions with respect to the mind. If one can answer them, one recognizes all dharmas within the mind.