四分律行事鈔資持記 1.1220

1.1220

唱告中。就草座者，告令即時離本座處。偏袒等者，囑後自恣，具儀致敬。注令從之，非謂合眾即皆互跪；下云：見五德來，方從座起；故知爾前，但坐草上。人多錯解，令眾疲極，迷文故也。問：所以須坐草者？答：自恣一法，異餘眾事；由是露過，求他誨示，必現卑遜。褥席坐具，不以𭣋藉；屈身平地，同彼罪囚；恐損身衣，故令布草。疏云：言離座者，捨憍慢故；布草坐者，恐有損故；斯為明證，豈復疑乎！（舊云：佛成道時，吉祥童子施草，今傚佛故；因又妄述受草偈，穿鑿大甚；請以疏驗，早宜廢之。）然今行事，多從妄習；隨用少草，繫以繒綵；五色間鬪，事同兒戲。又令管句之僧，或復淨人；分頭俵散，平身拋擲。及至唱告，手擎頂戴；依古謬傳，誦吉祥偈；然後揭起坐具，投之於下。身不離座，復不敷草；違背正教，恣任妄情。況自矜誇，我能講說；至於行事，還逐訛風；臨此明文，信同夢海。況氷情固執，見善不遷；畢身長負於無知，來報更增於愚塞。知非改過，其唯智人乎！

In the announcement: 'going to the grass seats' announces that they should immediately leave their original seats. 'Baring the right shoulder, etc.' instructs them on the subsequent pravāraṇā, to display respect with complete deportment. The note orders them to comply, not meaning that the whole assembly immediately kneels on alternating knees; below it says: 'Only upon seeing the five virtues come does one rise from the seat'; hence we know that prior to that, they merely sit on the grass. Many people misunderstand and exhaust the assembly, owing to being confused about the text. Question: Why must they sit on grass? Answer: The pravāraṇā ritual differs from other assembly affairs; because of exposing offenses and seeking instruction from others, one must display humility. Quilts, mats, and sitting cloths are not used as bedding; bending the body on the bare ground, like a criminal prisoner; fearing damage to body and robes, they are therefore ordered to spread grass. The Commentary states: 'Leaving the seats means abandoning arrogance; spreading grass to sit on is for fear of damage'; this is clear proof—how could there be any further doubt! (The old explanation said: 'When the Buddha attained enlightenment, the boy Svastika offered grass, and now we emulate the Buddha'; consequently, they also falsely composed a verse for receiving grass, which is utterly far-fetched; please verify it with the Commentary and abolish it early.) Yet present-day practice mostly follows erroneous habits: taking a small amount of grass at will, tying it with silk ribbons; five colors competing, resembling child's play. Moreover, they order the monks in charge of affairs, or pure persons, to distribute it in various directions, tossing it casually. And when it comes to the announcement, they hold it up with their hands and place it on their heads; relying on ancient erroneous traditions, they recite the Svastika verse; then they lift their sitting cloths and cast the grass underneath. Their bodies do not leave their seats, nor do they spread the grass; disobeying the correct teaching, indulging arbitrary feelings. How much more so do they boast, 'I can lecture and explain,' yet when conducting ritual affairs, they still follow corrupt customs; facing these clear texts, it is truly like a sea of dreams! Furthermore, their frozen dispositions are obstinately fixed, seeing the good yet refusing to change; burdened with ignorance all their lives, their future retribution will only increase their foolish obstruction. Knowing faults and reforming them—can this be done by anyone other than a wise person!