法苑珠林 5.9

5.9

Question: Are there only these six destinies, or are there definitely other paths?
Answer: For now we follow the explanation of one school without addition or subtraction. If we rely on the Lou tan jing, it also speaks of nine paths of sentient beings dwelling together: first, the path of bodhisattvas; second, the path of pratyekabuddhas; third, the path of śrāvakas. Adding these to the previous six paths, the common and the holy dwell together because of the desire to transform one another. As for deva ('heaven'), as explained in the Vibhāṣā's etymology, it is called tian ('heaven') because its light shines radiantly. Furthermore, tian means dian ('summit'). Dian means the highest summit. Among the ten thousand things, heaven alone is above; hence it is called dian. Furthermore, tian means xian ('lofty and prominent'). Xian means high and manifest. Among the ten thousand things, heaven alone is uniquely high, prominently covering above; hence it is called xian.