Dictionary Definition :
Definition[1]
:
Though the Buddha is eternal, he showed himself as temporarily extinct, as necessary to arouse a longing for Buddha, cf. Lotus, 16.
Source
:
A Dictionary of Chinese Buddhist Terms, William Edward Soothill and Lewis Hodous
Definition[2]
:
即天台宗所說之方便淨涅槃,為三涅槃之一。又作應化涅槃。謂如來法身雖常住不滅,但為使眾生興起佛世難值之想,而生追慕修道之念,乃以方便示現涅槃。〔法華經壽量品、金光明經玄義卷上〕
Source
:
佛光電子大辭典
Page
:
p1440
Definition[3]
:
(術語)謂如來雖常住不滅,而為使起佛世難值之想,惹追慕修道之念,故以方便示現涅槃也。法華經壽量品曰:「為度眾生故,方便現涅槃。而實不滅度。常住此說法。」
Source
:
丁福保《佛學大辭典》