四分律行事鈔資持記 1.987

1.987

次科《五分》中，前示製法。並五指者，謂中人五指相並，當五寸也。拳一肘，謂尺八也。（舒手則二尺故。）然不明物體，今時多以竹木為之。客來下，明行法。和合若干，總合數也。

In the next section from the Mahīśāsaka-vinaya, it first presents the method of making them. "Five fingers together" means that when an average person places five fingers together, it equals five inches. "A fist and one cubit (aratni)" means one foot and eight inches. (Because when the hand is outstretched, it is two feet.) However, it does not specify the material; nowadays they are mostly made of bamboo or wood. From "When guests arrive..." onward, it explains the procedure of distribution. "Harmoniously combined into so many" refers to the total count.