法華文句記 9.96

9.96

As for bodhisattvas from other regions hearing that the merit of circulating the sūtra is great: having already heard the trace section explain the transmission to its end, they wished to circulate it in quest of superior merit. As for the Tathāgata stopping them: above, he broadly solicited the propagation of the sūtra; now when those from other regions ask to propagate it, why does he not permit it? Therefore it is explained with three meanings: first, because what they are tasked with is distinct, there is no benefit across two periods of time, which means there is no mundane benefit; second, because those from other regions have no benefit as ministers here, there is no [benefit] for individuals; third, having two meanings, if the doubt regarding the traces is not broken, there is no counteraction, and if the distant origin is not revealed, there is no supreme truth.