A Bodhisattva will be peaceful,
And free from timidity
If he stays in a quiet room
For some time,
Recollects the Dharma correctly,
Understands the Dharma
According to the meanings of it,
And then emerges
From his dhyāna-concentration,
And leads kings, princes,
Common people and brahmanas
By expounding this sūtra to them.

Another interesting thing is the fact that, in chapter 4 of the Commentary on the Lotus Sutra attributed to Prince Shotoku (574-622), commenting on the phrase “always preferring meditation (zazen) in a quiet place, he should improve and quiet his mind,” the author questions how bodhisattvas can find the time to spread the sutra in the world if they always like to meditate in secluded mountains. So he read the passage in a different way, such that it meant that one should not get close to or be friendly with Small Vehicle Buddhists who like meditation. In other words, he interpreted it as saying “Do not get close or friendly with Small Vehicle zen masters who always like to be doing meditation.” When the author of that commentary read this text in this way or simply ignored it, he would mention it, saying such things as “I interpret it a little differently” or “I don’t need this now.” Strangely enough, this was an impetus for the advent of practical-minded Japanese thought. At least it provides good material for understanding the Japanese adoption of Buddhism.