法華經義記 8.108

8.108

此品中明普賢從東方來，勸人自發聞經之因，故為品名也。但經有三段，第三段流通中本有二：第一有十品半是化他流通，今此一品是第二自行流通。若不受持者，此經於此人則不流通；若自受持者，此經於此人則有流通之義也。本言兩段之中各有三，今此中有三者：第一先明此菩薩從東方來，是勸發之由也；第二「白佛」下，正明勸發聞經；第三臨品末，是經家敘說品得利益。

In this chapter, it is clarified that Samantabhadra came from the east to encourage people to initiate for themselves the causes for hearing the sūtra; hence it serves as the chapter's title. The sūtra consists of three sections: within the third section, the transmission, there were originally two parts. First, there are ten and a half chapters that are the transmission through converting others; now this single chapter is the second, the transmission through one's own practice. If one does not receptively uphold it, then for this person this sūtra is not transmitted; if one receptively upholds it oneself, then for this person this sūtra has the meaning of being transmitted. It was originally said that within both parts there are three each; here within this [chapter] there are three: first, clarifying that this bodhisattva came from the east, which is the reason for the encouragement to initiate; second, from "He addressed the Buddha" onward, properly clarifying the encouragement to initiate hearing the sūtra; third, toward the end of the chapter, the compiler of the sūtra narrating the benefits attained from the preaching of the chapter.