26. This is an expression from the Treatise on the Great Wisdom, and it specifies the distinctive means of verbal instruction of the Buddha-dharma, which the Buddha applied in his teachings to transform sentient beings. There are four levels: “(1) mundane or ordinary modes of expression; (2) individual treatment, adapting his teaching to the capacity of hearers; (3) diagnostic treatment of their moral diseases; (4) the perfect and highest truth” (Soothill and Hodous 2000: 175b).