四分律刪繁補闕行事鈔 3.61

3.61

Fifth, whether to proceed depending on the [purification master's] survival or death. The Mahāsāṃghika-vinaya states: Within the limit of three yojanas, one must know whether he is alive or dead. The Pañcavargika-vinaya states: Know whether he is alive in the world or on the road or not. The Sarvāstivāda states: If the purification master dies or enters another country, seek another purification master, and so forth. The Dharmaguptaka has no explicit text; one may adopt these at will. However, the procedure for the purification master must, according to treatises and vinayas, rely on those whose reputation and conduct are lofty, so that people far and near are all informed of it. If an ordinary, common person is used, then within the same monastery it would constitute a loss of the procedure (because he lacks knowledge and his conduct is inappropriate).