觀無量壽佛經義疏 2.5

2.5

二、釋經文。經文為三，即序、正、流通三分。從初至「清淨業處」，為序分。「爾時世尊放眉間光」至「無量諸天發無上道心」，為正宗分。「爾時阿難白佛當何名此經」下，盡末文，為流通分。三分判經，彌天為始，或多或缺隨經不同，不必一槩。

Second, the explanation of the sūtra text. The sūtra text is divided into three parts: namely, the three sections of preface, main body, and dissemination. From the beginning up to 'the place of pure karma' is the preface section. From 'At that time, the World-Honoured One emitted light from between his eyebrows' up to 'immeasurable devas generated the aspiration for supreme enlightenment' is the main body section. From 'At that time, Ānanda said to the Buddha: What should this sūtra be named?' down to the end of the text is the dissemination section. Dividing a sūtra into three parts began with Master Daoan; whether sections are more or fewer, or complete or deficient, varies according to the sūtra and need not be uniform.