法華義疏 3.215

3.215

言三請者：第一、有疑故請。第二、明大眾過去世種善根，聞即不生疑，故請說。第三、明大眾現在有堪聞之德，聞必信受，是故致請。然既有三請，三止則應不說，但初止在於請前，故唯有二止；詶第三請則便說也。

Regarding the three requests: first, requesting because there is doubt. Second, explaining that the great assembly planted good roots in past lives, so upon hearing it they will not give rise to doubt, hence requesting that it be expounded. Third, explaining that the great assembly in the present has the virtue of being capable of hearing it, and upon hearing it will surely faithfully accept it, and for this reason making the request. However, since there are three requests, with three refusals he ought not to speak; but the first refusal was prior to the requests, so there are only two refusals [after requests]; responding to the third request, he then speaks.