法華義疏 11.45

11.45

所以有此品來者，一者、遠從〈法師品〉生。〈法師品〉略明二世弟子、兩世法師，〈隨喜品〉已廣說二世弟子功德，今次廣說兩世法師功德。二者、近從〈分別功德品〉末明三品人：一者下品，謂隨喜人，〈隨喜品〉已廣明其功德；今次廣說餘二品人，故有此品來也。三者、上〈隨喜品〉雜明世出世二種功德，如乘天宮及輪王坐處謂世間功德，隨喜轉教後得成佛出世功德。今品但明出世功德，以六根清淨三界所無故稱出世也。約位明者，前是十信弟子位，今是三賢師位。約人者，前品明五人，今品亦明五人，此品明弘法之師得六根清淨功德，以獎勸持經也。

As for why this chapter comes next: First, looking from afar, it arises from the 'Dharma Master Chapter'. The 'Dharma Master Chapter' briefly explained the disciples of the two periods and the Dharma masters of the two periods. The 'Rejoicing in Accord Chapter' has already extensively explained the merits of the disciples of the two periods, and now next it extensively explains the merits of the Dharma masters of the two periods. Second, looking nearby, the end of the 'Distinction of Merits Chapter' explained three grades of persons: the first is the lower grade, referring to the person who rejoices in accord, whose merits have already been extensively clarified in the 'Rejoicing in Accord Chapter'; now next it extensively explains the remaining two grades of persons, which is why this chapter comes next. Third, the preceding 'Rejoicing in Accord Chapter' mixed together the explanation of the two kinds of merits, mundane and supramundane—such as mounting heavenly palaces and [reaching] the places where wheel-turning kings sit, which are called mundane merits, while rejoicing in accord and transmitting the teaching to others so that later one attains Buddhahood are supramundane merits. The present chapter solely clarifies supramundane merits, because the purification of the six sense faculties does not exist in the three realms and is therefore called supramundane. If explained in terms of stages, the preceding was the stage of disciples of the ten faiths, while the present is the stage of masters of the three worthies. If explained in terms of persons, the preceding chapter explained five persons and the present chapter also explains five persons; this chapter explains that masters who propagate the Dharma attain the merit of the purification of the six sense faculties, in order to encourage and exhort the upholding of the sūtra.