釋淨土群疑論 2.30

2.30

Question: Why is it that when the Tathāgata expounds sūtras, it is always to adapt to capacities and transform beings, preaching entirely for those with faith and inclination, and not proclaiming for those who doubt? Thus the Bhaiṣajyaguru Sūtra states: 'The Buddha bestows [the Dharma] for those who have faith, not for those who doubt.' Yet in the expounding of sūtras, there are times when he extends his tongue to encourage beings to generate faith, and times when he does not extend his tongue but merely proclaims the subtle principle. Furthermore, when expounding profound dharmas, ordinary people find them difficult to comprehend and harbor doubts and give rise to slander. For example, when expounding the Lotus Sūtra to converge the two into the one, because people of the two vehicles did not generate faith, it was necessary for the World-Honoured One Prabhūtaratna to emerge in the jewelled stupa to bear witness, and for the Buddha to extend his tongue, displaying the sign of non-deception to manifest the truth, three times stating words that they should have faith before declaring his sincere and true words. Now, the Amitābha Sūtra only expounds the adorned pure characteristics of the primary and secondary retributions in the West to encourage beings to attain rebirth, which easily generates correct faith. Why was it necessary for the buddhas of the six directions or ten directions to all extend their tongues to encourage beings to generate faith?