法華義疏 5.210

5.210

「善哉世尊」下，第三、正請。所以請者，身子是遂佛轉法輪將軍，有未解者常為請說。又既已得悟即成菩薩，菩薩以濟物為懷，須為物請。又既同是聲聞，昔俱稟偏化而自已得解、餘人未解，愍其同朋故須為請。又〈方便品〉末佛勸弘經，今為眾請即是受旨。又上授記明身子行因未來得佛，今為眾請即是行因也。所言「願說因緣」者，因緣謂三一之所以也。有何所以故說三？有何所以故說一？辨此因緣釋疑除悔，故名為「善哉」。就佛受請說中復開為三：第一、緣起。第二、從「若國邑」至下偈云「以是因緣十方諦求」，名為正說。第三、從「告舍利弗汝諸人等」，勸其弘經。此三亦得是子章序正流通也。

From “Excellent, World-Honoured One!” onward is the third [part], the direct request. The reason he makes the request is that Śāriputra is the general who assists the Buddha in turning the wheel of the Dharma; whenever there are those who do not understand, he regularly requests teaching for them. Furthermore, having already attained awakening, he has become a bodhisattva; a bodhisattva cherishes the saving of beings in his heart and must make requests for beings. Moreover, since they are all equally śrāvakas and formerly all received the one-sided transformation, yet he himself has already attained understanding while the others have not, he pities his fellow companions and must make the request for them. Furthermore, at the end of the “Expedient Means Chapter”, the Buddha urged the propagation of the sūtra; now requesting on behalf of the assembly is precisely receiving that command. In addition, the preceding conferment of prediction clarified that Śāriputra practices the cause and will attain buddhahood in the future; now requesting on behalf of the assembly is precisely practicing the cause. As for the words “we pray that you will explain the reasons,” “reasons” refers to the rationale for the three and the one. What was the rationale for teaching three? What was the rationale for teaching one? Explaining these reasons resolves doubt and eliminates regret, hence it is praised as “excellent.” Within the section where the Buddha accepts the request and teaches, it is again divided into three: first, the circumstances of origin. Second, from “If in countries or cities” down to the later verse stating “For this reason, seeking throughout the ten directions,” which is called the main teaching. Third, from “The Buddha told Śāriputra: You and the others,” which urges them to propagate the sūtra. These three can also be seen as the preface, main body, and dissemination of this sub-chapter.