四分律行事鈔資持記 2.528

2.528

In the next section, citing evidence, there are four points. First, relying on contemporary usage: the first two sentences describe the general uniformity of the state's standards. "Scripts" refers to writings, and "rules" refers to regulations. From "Regarding…" downward, it explains the many variations of feet and scales. As for the five kinds, the old commentary says: the Southern Wu foot (two inches shorter than the Zhou), the Ji Zhou foot (fixed at ten inches), the Tang foot (two inches added to the Zhou, twelve inches making a foot), the Shandong foot (two inches added to the Tang, fourteen inches making a foot), and the Lu Prefecture Luoke foot (two inches added to the Shandong, sixteen inches making a foot). The state did not prohibit them, leading to these many variations. As for official use, it still conformed to the Zhou foot. Hence it says, "must be standardized…" Balance (héng) refers to the catties and ounces of scales; measure (liàng) refers to the fractions and inches of the foot. (In the present dynasty, the Zhou foot is used privately and the Tang foot officially.) From here downward, its origin is traced back. Encompassing Jambudvīpa shows that it was indeed the old system of the wheel-turning king. From "Then…" downward, basing the bowl's measure on the Vinaya: for the peck measure, the Ji Zhou standard is precisely used; thus with feet and scales following the Zhou, there is no cause for doubt; hence it says "according to the texts…" The commentary explaining the measure of the bowl states: "The governance of the Yao Qin used antiquity without corruption; thus this translation is quite thoroughly consistent"—this is it. From "Therefore…" downward, it explains preserving antiquity. The "medicine scale" is the five-catty scale in the world today. From "Six…" downward, it shows the fundamental methodology of measurement. The Sunzi Suanjing says: "Numbers begin with a hu (the silk just emerging from a silkworm's mouth); ten hu make a sī; ten sī make a háo; ten háo make a lí; ten lí make a fēn; ten fēn make a cùn (inch); ten cùn make a chǐ (foot); ten chǐ make a zhàng; ten zhàng make an yǐn; six chǐ make a bù (pace); two hundred and forty bù make a mǔ; one hundred mǔ make a qǐng." From "As follows…" downward, it concludes by instructing.