四明尊者教行錄 4.21

4.21

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?