金剛經纂要刊定記 3.9

3.9

"Corresponding to the initial period of the day": this means that the twelve hours of a day and night are divided into four periods in total. First is the initial period, which is the hours of yin, mao, and chen, the time when devas eat. Second is the middle period, which is the hours of si, wu, and wei, the time when humans eat according to the Dharma. Third is the afternoon period, which is the hours of shen, you, and xu, the time when spirits and ghosts eat. Fourth is the night period, which is the hours of hai, zi, and chou, the time when beasts eat. Now speaking of the hour of chen, this is the latter limit of the initial period. Both the Tang and Zhou translations say "the initial period of the day"; this, then, is the superior time. At this time, begging is not difficult, because both too early and too late are difficult to obtain [alms]. If one begs food at an improper time, when someone wishes to give, there is none, and if they do not give, they feel ashamed, which ends up afflicting others. If begging is unsuccessful, losing a meal leaves one hungry, which afflicts oneself.