四分律刪繁補闕行事鈔 1.255

1.255

結界元始，本欲秉法。由羯磨僧宗綱要，匡救佛法，像運任持，功歸於此；理宜十方同遵，許無乖隔。但為剡浮洲境，彌亘既寬；每一集僧，期要難剋；加以損功廢道，恒事奔馳。大聖愍其頓極，故開隨處局結；作法分隔，同界崇遵；功成事遂，總意如此。就中分四：一列數定量，二依位作法，三法起有無，四非法失相。

The origin of demarcating the boundary was fundamentally for conducting the rites. Because the karman of the saṃgha is the primary principle and essence that safeguards the Buddhadharma and upholds it during the semblance age, the merit returns to this; in principle, the ten directions should uniformly comply, allowing no division or separation. However, because the territory of Jambudvīpa is exceedingly vast, every time the saṃgha is to assemble, it is difficult to meet the appointed time; moreover, it wastes effort and neglects the Way to constantly run about. The Great Sage, pitying their extreme exhaustion, therefore permitted demarcating localized boundaries according to each place; dividing them through ritual procedure, members within the same boundary venerate and comply with it. When the meritorious task is achieved and affairs are accomplished, such is the overall intent. Within this, there are four sections: first, listing the categories and determining the limits; second, performing the rites according to their status; third, the arising, presence, and absence of rites; fourth, invalid rites and defective characteristics.