The differences and similarities of the Three-Vehicle Bodhi, as mentioned in Śrīmālādevī Siṃhanāda Sūtra (Lion’s Roar of Queen Śrīmālā), are elaborately explained in this discourse, demonstrating that the wisdom of bodhisattvas’ realization of the tathāgatagarbha’s sign of reality is not shared by the Two Vehicles. The correlation between the elimination of ignorance in a single thought (moha) by the Two Vehicles and the elimination of beginningless ignorance (avidyā) by the Mahāyāna, including how the Mahāyāna encompasses the Two Vehicles, is also described in this discourse, enabling practitioners to comprehensively understand the Three-Vehicle Bodhi and thus balance expedient and ultimate teachings in their practices. As such, practitioners will no longer be clinging to biased views to refute the correct ones, and consequently denigrating the Great Vehicles. Only then can they truly cultivate the Path to Buddhahood.
Given that the tathāgatagarbha is the basis of the Three-Vehicle Bodhi, without the tathāgatagarbha mind entity and all the seeds contained and stored within it, there will be no sentient beings in the three realms or any phenomena in the world. Furthermore, there will be no supramundane dharma of the dependent arising without an intrinsic nature, which belongs to the Two-Vehicle Bodhi. This sūtra elaborates on the correct principle that the notions of beginningless ignorance and ignorance in a single thought both depend on the tathāgatagarbha to appear. Providing a comprehensive guidance of the relationship between the afflictive hindrances and the cognitive hindrances, this discourse by Venerable Pingshi, totaling six 300-page volumes, enables practitioners to gain insights into the subtle difference between the Two-Vehicle Bodhi and the Buddha Bodhi. By reading and reflecting on this discourse, practitioners can comprehend the superiority of Buddha Bodhi and know the direction and principle of practice in their Three-Vehicle path, thus being benefitted and guided by the True Dharma to swiftly advance toward the attainment of Buddhahood.