四分律行事鈔資持記 1.18

1.18

列失中。凡傳教之務，不出有三：一弘揚教法，二訓誘來蒙，三扶持顛墜。今觀前代，於此三事，曾未論之；故下結云可得詳而評之，蓋言不能詳評故也，是以文中科為三失。初揚顯下二句，闕第一也。行儀謂行事軌式。以像末之教，不顯行儀，安能久住！匡謂正其訛駁，攝謂持之久永。垂下二句，闕第二也。以後學無知，若非師範，進道無由。彝即法也。紐下二句，闕第三也。玄綱大表，竝喻律乘。紐謂接續，既即已也，樹字上呼，顛即是倒。此二句舉喻雖別，所顯義同。

In the enumeration of failures: generally, the tasks of transmitting the teachings do not go beyond three: first, to propagate and promote the Dharma-teachings; second, to instruct and guide incoming ignorance; third, to uphold what is toppling and falling. Now, observing the previous dynasties, with regard to these three matters, they never addressed them; hence it concludes below that 'they could have scrutinized and evaluated them,' which means precisely that they were unable to scrutinize and evaluate them. Therefore, within the text, it is divided into three failures. The first two lines, from 'propagating and revealing' onward, mark the lack of the first. 'Behavior and demeanor' refers to the rules and standards for practical transactions. If the teachings of the semblance and final eras do not reveal behavior and demeanor, how could they long endure! 'Correcting' means setting right their errors and flaws; 'maintaining' means sustaining them for long and enduringly. The two lines from 'bestowing' downward mark the lack of the second. Because later students are ignorant, if there are no models of mastership, they have no way to advance on the Path. 'Norm' (yi) means standard. The two lines from 're-binding' downward mark the lack of the third. The 'profound guideline' and 'great marker' are both metaphors for the Vinaya vehicle. 'Re-binding' means joining together again; 'already' means completed; the character 'tree' (shu) is read in the falling tone [meaning to set upright]; 'toppling' means falling over. Although these two lines cite different metaphors, the meaning they reveal is identical.