四分律行事鈔資持記 2.177

2.177

明多少中，初文為三，初究受多識少。太唐之世，釋門興振；英俊如林，尚云三五；況今衰末，焉可言哉。皆下，二顯不識所以。上二句，明專愚不學。致下，明無知妄受。盲喻無知，夢喻不實。及下，明成否不決。河漢，喻其茫然不知涯際。故下，三總示來意。據此一篇，止釋戒相；今就其初，廣法體行，意見於此。諸門者，通指前三總別科目。

Under "Clarifying quantity," the initial text has three [parts]: first, investigating how many receive yet few understand. In the era of the Great Tang, the gate of Śākya flourished; the eminent were like a forest, yet it was still said to be merely "three or five"; how much less can anything be said now in this degenerate age? Second, from "All [arises from]..." downward, showing the reason for not understanding. The preceding two lines clarify devotion to foolishness without study. From "Resulting in..." downward, it clarifies receiving rashly out of ignorance. "Blind" is a metaphor for ignorance; "dream" is a metaphor for unreality. From "And..." downward, it clarifies the uncertainty of whether [reception] was accomplished or not. "Vast river" (He-Han) is a metaphor for being vast and boundless without knowing the limits. Third, from "Therefore..." downward, generally indicating the intention in coming to this. According to this single fascicle, it only explains the precept-marks; now, taking its beginning, it broadens the Dharma, the essence, and practice, and the intention is seen here. "The various sections" generally refers to the preceding three general and specific head-topics.