法華經義記 1.24

1.24

通序五者：第一如是，第二我聞，第三一時，第四出說經住處，第五從與大比丘眾訖退坐一面，列同聞眾也。別序五者：第一眾集序，第二瑞相序，第三疑念序，第四發問序，第五答問序也。從「爾時世尊四眾圍繞訖供養恭敬尊重讚歎」，是第一，詺為眾集序也。從「為諸菩薩說大乘經」訖「以佛舍利起七寶塔」，是第二，詺為瑞相序也。從「爾時彌勒菩薩作是念」下訖「今當問誰」，是第三，詺為疑念序也。從「爾時彌勒菩薩欲自決疑」竟四言偈，是第四，詺為發問序也。從「是時文殊師利語彌勒菩薩」盡品，是第五，詺為答問序也。

The five parts of the common preface are: first, 'Thus'; second, 'have I heard'; third, 'at one time'; fourth, specifying the dwelling place where the sūtra was spoken; fifth, from 'together with a great assembly of bhikṣus' down to 'withdrew to sit to one side', listing the assembly who heard it together. The five parts of the distinct preface are: first, the preface of the assembly's gathering; second, the preface of the auspicious signs; third, the preface of doubtful thoughts; fourth, the preface of raising questions; fifth, the preface of answering questions. From 'At that time the World-Honoured One was surrounded by the fourfold assembly' down to 'making offerings, paying reverence, honoring, and praising' is the first, designated as the preface of the assembly's gathering. From 'spoke for the sake of the bodhisattvas the Mahāyāna sūtra' down to 'erected seven-jeweled stūpas with the Buddha's relics' is the second, designated as the preface of the auspicious signs. From 'At that time Bodhisattva Maitreya had this thought' down to 'Whom should I now ask?' is the third, designated as the preface of doubtful thoughts. From 'At that time Bodhisattva Maitreya, wishing to resolve his own doubts' through the four-character verses is the fourth, designated as the preface of raising questions. From 'At that time Mañjuśrī addressed Bodhisattva Maitreya' to the end of the chapter is the fifth, designated as the preface of answering questions.