法華經義記 1.24

1.24

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.