四分律行事鈔資持記 2.2159

2.2159

別示中，懺六品文。根本且舉長離，從生備出六品，行懺者臨事加減。問：所以覆藏但至二夜者？答：且舉二夜以明展轉，故言二罪。若覆多日，即應多品。問：何名隨夜展轉？答：如經一夜，望覆根本一罪；二夜即覆初夜，三夜復覆二夜；如是相望，乃至百千，皆名展轉。所以前羯磨中，牒百夜覆藏等。（舊云所以但至二夜者，恐犯無窮之過，謬矣。）

Under "Specific Explanations", in the text on repenting the six grades: the root temporarily raises extra and separated robes; the derivative fully brings out the six grades; the one performing repentance adds or subtracts according to the circumstances. Question: Why does concealment only go up to two nights? Answer: It merely raises two nights to clarify successive progression; hence it speaks of two offenses. If one conceals for many days, there should be many grades. Question: What is meant by successive progression according to nights? Answer: Passing one night is relative to concealing the one root offense; two nights conceals the first night; three nights again conceals the second night; relative to each other like this, up to hundreds or thousands, all are called successive progression. This is why in the earlier karmavācanā, it recites concealment of a hundred nights, etc. (The old explanation that it only goes up to two nights out of fear of the fault of infinite regression is mistaken.)