佛祖統紀 2.22

2.22

The commentary states: In the past, based on the Treatise on Awakening of Faith, the eight phases of the Great Vehicle were listed, which preserved the dwelling in the womb and omitted the subduing of Māra. Based on the Meaning of the Fourfold Teachings, the eight phases of the Small Vehicle were listed, which preserved the subduing of Māra and omitted the dwelling in the womb. What is set forth now directly inherits both texts, taking them as the framework. From descending from Tuṣita down to attaining enlightenment and subduing Māra, the phases are all listed with the Great Vehicle first and the Small Vehicle second. Moreover, within the turning of the wheel of the Dharma, there is the meaning of the sudden and gradual of the five periods; thus the two faculties, great and small, are also contained within it. The words of the Miaozong say: 'The Buddha responds to the three lands and speaks first of the land where common and holy dwell together; as his conversion has a beginning and an end, it must manifest the eight phases. The eight phases seen by those of great faculty are inconceivable; if responding to those of small faculty, the eight kinds are all inferior.' This is what is meant.