As for the merit, on what means does he rely to teach the Dharma? He utilizes three methods:

1. [He] utilizes the accomplishments of meditative trance. There are two types of accomplishments: The first is the power of self-mastery, since [in meditative trance] the body and mind remain imperturbable. The second is the elimination of all the obstructions, something that occurs along with the power of self-mastery. The power of self-mastery also has two types:The first type is for [the Tathāgata] to conform [the teaching] to living beings to illustrate the antidotes [and enable them to] attain the elements conducive to enlightenment. The second type functions as an antidote to the tenacious defilements that exist from beginningless time. Just as it says in the Lotus Sutra:

   The Buddha, having expounded this sutra, sat in the posture of meditation and entered the meditative trance called “the abode of the exposition of infinity” where he remained imperturbable in body and mind…

2. He utilizes the physical worlds.
3. He utilizes the human worlds.

That is why [the Tathāgata] caused the earth to quake and knew what had happened over the past countless world-ages (kalpas). Just as it says in the Lotus Sutra:

Then mandārava [and great mandārava, manjūsaka and great manjūsaka flowers fell like rain from the sky, scattering over the Buddha and the great assembly. And the entire buddha world quaked in six ways. Thereupon the entire assembly of monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen in that gathering, the devas, nāgas, yakyas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kimnaras, mahorāgas, humans and nonhumans, kings and noble emperors, attained an unprecedented experience]. Joyfully, and with the palms of their hands pressed together in reverence, they gazed attentively at the Buddha.