佛祖統紀 3.77

3.77

述曰。此為身子等一類小機華嚴無益。從頓開漸次第引入漸初鹿苑。四諦十二因緣同證小果。漸中方等。彈偏折小同慕大法。漸末般若。轉教付財領知家業。故總名為漸也。

The author comments: This is because for a class of inferior faculties such as Śāriputra, the Avataṃsaka brought no benefit. From the sudden the gradual was opened, sequentially guiding them: into the initial gradual of the Deer Park, where through the Four Truths and Twelvefold Dependent Origination they jointly realized the lesser fruit; into the middle gradual of the Vaipulya, where one-sidedness was rebuked and the lesser broken down, so that they jointly yearned for the great Dharma; and into the final gradual of the Prajñā, where they transferred the teaching and were entrusted with the wealth, taking charge of and managing the family estate. Therefore, it is collectively named "gradual."