法華義疏 5.230

5.230

有二義：一者、欲驗長者之德使名實不虛，明此長者非但遠國揄揚乃至近邑稱歎，故從遠至近驗長者實德；如來亦爾，寄此四處定佛名德。二者、欲顯佛雖王化四處，今欲明一處之化，故從遠以至近，以此一方根緣感佛故也。

There are two meanings: first, wishing to verify the elder's virtue so that his reputation and reality are not empty, clarifying that this elder is not only praised in distant countries, but even commended in near cities; thus proceeding from far to near verifies the elder's real virtue. The Tathāgata is also like this; he relies on these four places to establish the Buddha's renown and virtue. Second, wishing to reveal that although the Buddha rules and transforms four places, he now wishes to clarify the transformation of a single place; therefore he proceeds from far to near, because the capacities and conditions of this one region stimulate the Buddha.