天台八教大意 1.2

1.2

前佛後佛自行化他，究其旨歸，咸宗一妙佛之知見。但機緣差品，應物現形，為實施權，故分乎八：頓、漸、祕密、不定，化之儀式，譬如藥方；藏、通、別、圓，所化之法，譬如藥味。

The earlier buddhas and later buddhas, in their own practice and in converting others, when we investigate the ultimate purpose, all take the single wondrous vision and knowledge of the buddhas as their central tenet. Yet because capacities and conditions differ in degree, they manifest forms in response to beings, deploying the expedient for the sake of the real; therefore they are divided into eight: sudden, gradual, secret, and indeterminate are the methods of conversion, analogous to medical prescriptions; Tripiṭaka, shared, distinct, and perfect are the doctrines of conversion, analogous to medicinal flavors.