四明尊者教行錄 4.21

4.21

答：三周所授乃八相應身記也。此之八相，始從初住分顯法身，終至妙覺究竟法身，皆能現此益物之相。三周得入者，不局初住，如疏云：身子既是上根利智，必是超入。而多云初住者，蓋指其首耳。又皆云經無數劫者，與物結緣，作淨佛國土因也。若無眾多受化之機，如何現身說法耶？若論法身之本，乃即座而得，豈待經無數劫乎？

Answer: What is conferred across the three cycles is the prediction of the response body that manifests the eight aspects. As for these eight aspects, beginning from the initial abodal stage where the Dharma body is partially revealed, up through wondrous awakening where the Dharma body is consummated, all are capable of manifesting these aspects that benefit sentient beings. Those who attain entry across the three cycles are not limited to the first abodal stage. As the commentary says: Śāriputra, being of superior faculties and sharp wisdom, must have entered in a leaping advance. Yet that it mostly says the first abodal stage is simply indicating its head. Furthermore, that it consistently speaks of passing countless kalpas is for forming connections with sentient beings to serve as the cause for purifying buddha-lands. If there were not numerous capacities to receive conversion, how could one manifest a body and expound the Dharma? If we consider the root of the Dharma body, it is attained right upon the seat; how could it await passing through countless kalpas?