天台四教儀 1.45

1.45

Next, the distinct teaching is explained. This teaching explains the exclusive bodhisattva Dharma beyond the realms: its doctrinal principles, wisdom and severing, practices and ranks, causes and fruits are distinct from the preceding two teachings and distinct from the subsequent perfect teaching; hence it is called "distinct." The Nirvāṇa [Sūtra] says: "The causes and conditions of the four truths have immeasurable marks, which are not known by śrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas." The various Mahāyāna sūtras extensively explain the bodhisattvas' cultivation throughout kalpas, whose successive ranks of practice do not mutually subsume one another; these are all characteristics of the distinct teaching. The Avataṃsaka explains the ten abodes, ten practices, and ten dedications as worthies, the ten grounds as sages, and sublime enlightenment as the Buddha; the Yingluo explains fifty-two ranks; the Suvarṇaprabhāsa sets forth only the ten grounds and the Buddha fruit; the Kuśalaprathama explains the ten grounds; the Nirvāṇa explains the five practices. That these various sūtras differ in addition and subtraction is because bodhisattvas beyond the realms benefit according to capacity; how could there be a fixed formulation?