Lotus Sutra 14.4:
The Lotus Sutra says, “We only use expedient names to lead beings to enter the gate and see their own nature. This is called the supreme perfection. Thus, you should know that expedient names are like yellow leaves that stand for gold. They stop children from crying. When followers of the Two Vehicles (shravakas and pratyekas) hear such a name, they think it is real and cling to it in their practice. Those who want to leave sansara do not yet realize there is no sansara to leave.” (quoted by Hung-lien)
Lotus Sutra 15.2:
Similar wording appears in the Lotus Sutra, where the Buddha addresses Bhaishagya-raga, the Medicine King: “If someone should read or recite the Lotus Sutra, you should know that such a person is adorned by what adorns the Buddha. You should know that what they wear is what the Tathagata wears upon his shoulders. And wherever they go, they should be so honored.” (10)
Lotus Sutra 15.22:
The Lotus Sutra says, “King of Healing, you should know that as long as someone does not hear this teaching, they are not yet skilled in walking the bodhisattva path. While those who are able to hear this teaching are skilled in walking the bodhisattva path and are able to approach unexcelled, perfect enlightenment.” (10)
Lotus Sutra 15.3:
Again, the meaning of this section appears in
somewhat clearer form in the Lotus
Sutra (10), where the Buddha says, “King of Healing, wherever this
teaching is spoken or recited or written down, wherever this sutra is found,
let there be a stupa built made of the seven jewels. Let it be high and wide
and exquisitely decorated. But there will be no need to place any relics
inside. And why not? Because within it shall reside the Tathagata’s entire
body.”
Lotus Sutra 7:
The Lotus Sutra says, “Capacities are deep or shallow. Some people are zealous, while others are lazy. The dharmas taught to them are tailored to their abilities. Thus, dharmas have no definite form. Delusion and enlightenment are far apart. Before we are enlightened, it seems as if nothing is realized. After we are enlightened, it seems as if something is realized. But realizing something and not realizing something are both delusions. As long as we remain unattached, we follow the Middle Path. How, then, can we talk about a dharma?” (quoted by Hung-lien)