四分律刪繁補闕行事鈔 3.346

3.346

The Pañcavargika Vinaya says: One may learn writing in order to know seniority and gatherings, but one must not, for fondness [thereof], abandon one's [proper] vocation. It does not permit divining physiognomy or inquiring of others concerning good and bad fortune. The Dharmaguptaka Vinaya says: It allows the study of chanting, the study of writing, and the study of secular treatises, for the purpose of subduing tīrthikas. In the miscellaneous rules, newly ordained bhikṣus are permitted to learn arithmetic. The Daśādhyāya-vinaya says: Being fond of composing verses and hymns, adorning words and sentences—this is fearful; one must not do it. The Vinayamātṛkā says: A single phrase or a single gāthā that I have taught you, extending even to future generations, should be put into practice if it ought to be practiced; if it ought not to be practiced, one must not practice it either. What is spoken by bhikṣus in future generations is also like this.