佛祖統紀 3.7

3.7

'A single lifetime' generally refers to the eight aspects, and specifically resides in the five periods. The five periods also have general and specific senses. Miaoxuan states: 'Regarding the five flavors and the half and full teachings, when discussed specifically, each has its proper boundary; when discussed generally, they pervade from beginning to end. As for the Avataṃsaka, specifically it is only at the beginning, but generally it extends to the end. The Deer Park onwards is analogous to this,' and so on. Now, discussing his entire teaching career, we focus solely on the specific sense. As for the five periods, their meaning derives from three sūtras: the three illuminations in the Avataṃsaka, the five flavors in the Nirvāṇa-sūtra, and the passage in the 'Belief and Understanding' chapter of the Lotus Sūtra where the four great disciples express their comprehension. Therefore, the Wenju states: 'The four great disciples deeply grasped the Buddha's intention and thoroughly comprehended the teachings of the five periods of his single lifetime, their sequence from beginning to end.' The text originates from this.