法華經義記 8.45

8.45

此品中分別聞《法華經》所得功德多少，故為品目。自明果中第四段廣明壽命長遠斷疑生信，自有三段，第一正明長遠，第二總受記，第三彌勒說偈以下明示同領解。今此下是第二受記，就中自有三段，第一先明經家敘時眾聞說壽量得解之相，第二正受記，第三正經家述諸天供養之相也。

This chapter differentiates the amount of merit gained from hearing the *Lotus Sūtra*, hence it serves as the chapter title. Within the fourth section of explaining the fruition, which broadly explains the long duration of the lifespan to sever doubts and generate faith, there are themselves three sections: first, properly explaining the long duration; second, generally conferring prophecies; third, from Maitreya uttering verses onward, clearly showing shared understanding. Now, from here onward is the second, conferring prophecies, within which there are themselves three sections: first, explaining the narrator's account of the assembly at that time hearing the exposition of the lifespan and showing aspects of gaining understanding; second, properly conferring prophecies; third, the narrator properly recounting the aspects of the devas making offerings.