法華玄論 1.118

1.118

復次欲說諸佛二種法，故說是經也，一說現在法、二說過去法。上來二周已說釋迦一期出世始終方便利益眾生竟，今說釋迦過去利益眾生法門，故說是經也。

Furthermore, wishing to preach the two kinds of Dharma of the buddhas, he therefore preached this sūtra: first, preaching the Dharma of the present; second, preaching the Dharma of the past. The preceding two cycles have already concluded the explanation of Śākya[muni]'s initial and final skillful means in benefiting sentient beings during this one lifetime in the world; now, expounding Śākya[muni]'s Dharma gate of benefiting sentient beings in the past, he therefore preached this sūtra.