宗鏡錄 37.11

37.11

答。古釋云。林中葉喻。據為其緣。令諸有情識變法解。名我已說如手中葉。未為作緣。眾生自心未起法解。名我未說如林中葉。約為增上。名說未說。

Answer: Ancient commentators explained: The metaphor of the leaves in the forest is based on [the Buddha's] serving as their condition, causing the consciousness of sentient beings to transform and understand the Dharma; this is called 'what I have expounded is like the leaves in my hand.' Where he has not yet acted as their condition, and sentient beings' own minds have not yet given rise to understanding of the Dharma, this is called 'what I have not expounded is like the leaves in the forest.' Taking [his presence as] a sovereign condition, it is called 'expounding' and 'not expounding.'