[E]xposing the crude and manifesting the subtle means, as the Lotus Sūtra says, “My dharma is subtle and difficult to conceptualize.”⁴⁵⁷ The first three [understandings] are all the dharma-teachings of the Buddha.⁴⁵⁸ How can there be a crude [understanding] which is conceptual and which is different from the subtle [understanding] which is beyond conceptualization? [There cannot.]

There is no explanation of the meaning of liberation which is not verbal. Truly the essence of that which can be conceptualized is identical with that which is beyond conceptualization. It is like the rich man [in the analogy of the poor son] supplied “pots and vessels, rice and noodles” to the poor son and made them his.⁴⁵⁹ According to his innate nature [i.e., his genealogy] the poor son is neither a guest nor a servant. The “pots and vessels” thus stay in the family and do not become the possessions of a stranger.⁴⁶⁰

The Tathāgata takes that which is beyond conceptualization and uses expedient means to explain it crudely. How can one isolate the crude as [ultimately] different from the subtle? [One cannot.]

This [Lotus Sūtra] fulfills the dharma of the śrāvakas, so it is the king of all Sutras.⁴⁶¹ It exposes [the meaning of] two [Tripiṭaka and Shared understandings of] conditioned co-arising and discourses on [the identity of all with] the subtle.

457

In other words, the ultimate teaching of the Buddha is beyond conceptual understanding, but it is finally revealed in its essence in the Lotus Sūtra. return

458

The other Sūtras and the content of the Tripiṭaka, Shared, and Distinct Teachings are the Buddha-dharma and not to be taken lightly, but the Buddha-dharma is finally fully exposed in the Lotus Sūtra. return

459

In other words, he supplied him with any and all his needs, as the Buddha supplies the teaching needed by each sentient being. This phrase is from the analogy of the poor son. See also Hurvitz, Lotus Sūtra, 87. return

460

The father “giving” to his son what is rightfully and originally his is an expedient means, like the Buddha leading sentient beings to realize their inherent Buddha-nature. return

461

The Lotus Sūtra itself claims that it is “the king of all Sutras.” return