What is involved in saving beings is not only the metamorphoses of the Buddha’s own body in identifying with the body and mind of sentient beings, but also the transformation of his own land in identifying with the lands where beings live. Chih-i announces that the supra-mundane powers the Buddha applies are either coarse or subtle in the other three teachings (Tripiṭaka, Common and Separate) except for the ones in the Perfect Teaching in the Lotus Sūtra that are subtle only. The expedient powers the Buddha applies for the beings in the nine Dharma-realms are coarse, except for the ones that are for the beings in the Buddha Dharma-realm; whether pure or filthy, wide or narrow, all the latter powers are subtle, since they are the real and true spiritual powers.

The above is the description of the Subtlety of Supra-mundane Powers. The Buddha’s use of supra-mundane powers is the second step in teaching and transforming others. This is because the Buddha’s teaching is so profound that only supra-mundane powers can shock and awaken beings and can be the means of preparing audiences and enabling them to hear and accept the teaching. (Vol. 2, Page 278)