妙法蓮華經玄贊 2.282

2.282

贊曰：第三時節短長。論解：既以日月年等為劫，故名為小，不可別生分別。但是佛觀根熟應物時長，眾樂情深亦能久聽翫，法樂之心極，所以謂如食頃，如俗觀碁斧柯便爛。

The commentary states: The third is the brevity or length of the duration of time. The treatise explains: Since days, months, and years were taken as a kalpa, it is called "small" (antara-kalpa); one should not produce separate distinctions. It was simply that the Buddha saw that the faculties were ripe and the time responding to beings was long, and the assembly's joy and devotion were deep, so they were able to listen and appreciate for a long time. Their joy in the Dharma was supreme, which is why it was perceived as like a mealtime, just as in the worldly tale of watching a game of chess while the axe-handle rotted away.