四分律行事鈔資持記 1.500

1.500

戒場中，先引開緣。數字入呼。眾起即羯磨僧事。四位僧中，略舉初後，中二大同。善下，示量。以二十人僧通行一切眾法，更兼所為，故容二十一人。減則不周，故所不許。此據一眾為言，必兼二眾，須容四十一人。問：二界立量同異云何？答：大界制廣，狹則不拘。場界制狹，廣則無在。所以然者？大界更廣，不免奔馳之勞。場界更狹，行法有所不足。故《壇經》中烏仗那壇縱廣二百餘步，疏云：律中壇上相覓不見，故可知矣。

Under 'The Ordination Arena': first citing the circumstances of the allowance. The character 'number' (數) is read in the entering tone (meaning 'frequently'). 'The arising of the assembly' refers to karmavācanā saṃgha transactions. Among the four categories of saṃgha, the first and the last are briefly cited, while the middle two are broadly identical. From 'Properly...' onward, showing the dimensions: since a saṃgha of twenty persons is generally capable of carrying out all saṃgha transactions, and adding the candidate as well, it therefore accommodates twenty-one persons. Any reduction would not be sufficient, so it is not permitted. This is spoken with respect to a single assembly; if it must encompass both assemblies [of monks and nuns], it must accommodate forty-one persons.
Question: 'What are the similarities and differences in establishing the dimensions of the two boundaries?'
Answer: The great boundary is regulated [at the upper limit] to be wide, but is not restricted if narrow. The arena boundary is regulated [at the lower limit] to be narrow, but it does not matter if it is wide. Why is this so? If the great boundary were even wider, one could not avoid the toil of rushing about. If the arena boundary were even narrower, it would be inadequate for performing the ritual acts. Therefore, in the Platform Sūtra, the Udyāna platform was more than two hundred paces in length and breadth. The Commentary says: 'In the Vinaya, [it states that] on the platform they searched for one another without being seen, so it can be known.'