In this connection, Chigi asserted that the content of Nehan-gyo Sutra was almost the same as that of Hoke-kyo Sutra, and its truth had already been clarified in Hoke-kyo Sutra and therefore, it was preached only for the purpose of rescuing people who had been left out from Hoke's rescue.
なお、智顗は、涅槃経に対しては、法華経とほぼ同内容で、その真理は既に法華経で明かしており、法華の救いに漏れた者達のために説かれた教えにすぎないと位置づける。