法華義疏 11.138

11.138

四眾若直爾起謗即如彼說，今聞不輕強為其說，雖謗毀，籍此力故受苦則輕及後得信解。

If the fourfold assembly had simply given rise to slander on their own, it would be as stated in that passage. But here, hearing Sadāparibhūta preach to them forcibly, although they slandered him, by relying on the power of this [preaching], the suffering they underwent was lighter, and later they were able to attain faith and understanding.