Q: As you say, the subtle Dharma [of the Lotus Sutra] should be expounded quickly by the Buddha. Why did he not expound it for more than thirty years after he attained Buddhahood?

A: Because people were not ready and the time was not right. In the thirty-odd years after his attainment of Buddhahood he made distinctions in the One Buddha-vehicle and expounded three.

Q: For what reason did he now expound the real truth for the first time?

A: Because people were ready and the time was right, he expounded only the unique, subtle, One Vehicle.