法華義疏 8.171

8.171

偈文為三：初二行，總標佛記；次一行，頌上行因；餘九行，頌得果。此中一行頌化主，一行半頌國土，三行頌眷屬，眷屬之中不頌凡夫但頌聲聞、菩薩。長行從劣至勝，前聲聞、後菩薩。今從勝至劣，前菩薩、後聲聞。次兩行頌說法果，次半行頌壽命果，一行頌住持果，略不頌時節果。偈與長行前後不次第者，皆是轉勢說法，各示一門，有意尋經觀文而生起之也。

The verse text comprises three [parts]: the first two verses generally indicate the Buddha's prophecy; the next verse summarizes the aforementioned practice of the causes; the remaining nine verses summarize the attainment of the fruits. Herein, one verse summarizes the transforming lord, one and a half verses summarize the land, and three verses summarize the retinue—within the retinue, it does not versify the ordinary persons, but only versifies the śrāvakas and bodhisattvas. The prose proceeds from inferior to superior, placing śrāvakas first and bodhisattvas second. Here it proceeds from superior to inferior, placing bodhisattvas first and śrāvakas second. The next two verses summarize the fruit of preaching the Dharma, the next half-verse summarizes the fruit of lifespan, and one verse summarizes the fruit of sustaining [the Dharma], omitting the fruit of the time period. That the verse and the prose do not follow the same order is entirely due to shifting the manner of expounding the Dharma, each presenting a particular approach; one who intends to inquire into the sūtra should examine the text and bring forth [its meaning].