法華義疏 9.23

9.23

「爾時佛告」下，第二、正為授記。文開為二：初長行、次偈。長行為二：前明行因、後辨得果。行因之中明三世行因：第一、歎現德，謂現在行因；第二、明過去行因；第三、明未來行因。現德顯彰是故前歎現在之德；由過去修行，故次歎過去；二世行因猶未圓滿，故次歎未來。初文四句：第一句，告眾問之。

From "At that time the Buddha addressed" downward is the second part, directly conferring prophecy for him. The text opens into two: first prose, next verses. The prose consists of two parts: first clarifying the causes practiced, later distinguishing the fruits attained. Within the causes practiced, it explains the causes practiced across the three periods of time: first, praising present virtues, which refers to practicing causes in the present; second, clarifying the causes practiced in the past; third, clarifying the causes practiced in the future. Present virtues are prominent and manifest, therefore he first praises the virtues of the present; because of past practice, he next praises the past; since the causes practiced across the two periods are not yet complete, he next praises the future. The initial text has four phrases: the first phrase addresses the assembly to question them.