法苑珠林 32.6

32.6

The function of the sage is mysterious, pervasive, and unobstructed, eliciting responses in manifold ways; it cannot be sought by a single path, nor can it be deduced by a single principle. Therefore, coarse [faculties] are responded to with the coarse, and subtle [faculties] are responded to with the subtle; that coarse and subtle accord with the capacities [of beings] is a principle that is naturally so. The reason why they emit great light and manifest various divine transformations is to respond to the great bodhisattvas of the ten directions who are about to inherit the exalted rank. If they are to dwell among the secular, receive the coarse, subdue the heterodox, and bring them to the correct, they must further adapt to conditions and transform pervasively, measuring and matching the dispositions of beings; unable to awaken them by pointing to phenomena through profound principle, they manifest inconceivable bodily forms in order to block inconceivable obstinate views. For instance, when a sage also enters among deer and horses to deliver them, while among deer and horses, how could he be identical to deer and horses? If he were not different from deer and horses, he would be of the common stream at that time, and clearly there would be no need for these divine transformations.