維摩經略疏垂裕記 4.96

4.96

二、示持正法。「秉持國法」者，肇師云「外國諸部曲皆立三老。有德者為執法人，以決鄉訟攝長幼也。」淨名現執俗法通達道法也。今師云「持國法」，肇云「決鄉訟」，高下小異耳。此方漢世，鄉邑各立三老。

Second, manifesting upholding the correct Dharma. Regarding 'Holding fast to the laws of the realm': Master [Seng]zhao says: 'In foreign countries, the various local units all establish three elders. Those of virtue act as the law-enforcers, resolving village disputes and regulating old and young.' Jingming manifested executing secular laws to penetrate to the laws of the path. The current Master says 'upholding the laws of the realm,' while [Seng]zhao says 'resolving village disputes'; they differ slightly only in higher and lower. In this land during the Han dynasty, townships and villages each established three elders.