法華義疏 5.194

5.194

「爾時舍利弗」下，第二大段，正明譬說。亦開為四：從此竟品正明譬說，第二、〈信解品〉中根人領悟，第三、〈藥草喻品〉如來述成，第四、〈授記品〉明為其授記。所以有四段者，中根之人聞上法說未解，更轉勢說法故舉譬喻曉之。既聞前法說復稟後譬喻即得信解，故有第二〈信解品〉。以所解是實，故如來舉藥草喻述成。領解於前、述成於後，心得決了行與佛相應，則當果可期，故為授記。

From “At that time, Śāriputra” onward is the second major section, directly clarifying the explanation through parables. It is also divided into four: from here to the end of the chapter directly clarifies the explanation through parables; second, in the “Belief and Understanding Chapter”, those of middling faculties express their awakening; third, in the “Medicinal Herbs Parable Chapter”, the Tathāgata confirms it; fourth, the “Conferment of Prophecy Chapter” clarifies bestowing predictions upon them. The reason there are four sections is that persons of middling faculties did not understand upon hearing the preceding doctrinal explanation, so [the Buddha] shifts his approach in expounding the Dharma, citing a parable to instruct them. Having heard the preceding doctrinal explanation and then receiving the subsequent parable, they immediately attain belief and understanding; therefore there is the second, the “Belief and Understanding Chapter”. Because what they understood is true, the Tathāgata cites the parable of the medicinal herbs to confirm it. Expressing understanding beforehand and receiving confirmation afterward, their minds attain definitive resolution and their practice accords with the Buddha, so the future fruit can be anticipated; therefore he confers predictions upon them.