四分律行事鈔資持記 2.809

2.809

In the fifth [part], on the lower assemblies: because it was said above that it must not be given to a śrāmaṇera, it continues by citing this to show it. First, it separately adduces two cases: Zhuantou is a disciple of Maudgalyāyana, also called Chun-ti. From 'Both because' down, it jointly demonstrates the occult reprimand, because the circumstances are the same. Circling to the left is considered inauspicious in the Western regions. 'This inauspiciousness' is because what they encountered was not pure. 'Each reported the matter' means that the two śrāmaṇeras each reported to their teacher. 'Discarding it and paying homage' is because abandoning impurity and returning to purity is venerable. From 'This still' down, he looks back to antiquity and laments the present: 'those who could be corrected' refers to the two śrāmaṇeras above. 'Like the pond spirit': the *Mahāsāṃghika-vinaya* says that formerly a bhikṣu came to the side of a pond, smelled the fragrance of a lotus, and stole a scent of it; the pond spirit reprimanded him, saying: 'Why do you steal the flower?' A moment later, a mad elephant entered the pond and trampled it, but the pond spirit was silent; the bhikṣu in turn reprimanded the pond spirit, who said: 'The master is one who has left home; how can he be likened to an animal!' This means the former śrāmaṇera was one who could be reprimanded, hence there were non-humans circling him. 'Those who have not confessed' refers to those today who handle and keep [money], who cannot be reprimanded. 'Manifest punishment' means immediate retribution: malignant diseases and tragic deaths mostly result from breaking the precepts; this is what the *Matṛkā* calls 'the belly ruptures and the kāṣāya falls from the body'. 'Like the swollen cheek': the *Śatāvadāna-sūtra* says that formerly a foolish son-in-law went to his wife's house and was ashamed to eat; pressed by hunger, he stole uncooked rice and ate it, and his cheeks puffed up; his wife saw it and thought his cheek was swollen, but he stubbornly remained silent; so she called a physician to cauterize it with a fire drill, his cheek was pierced, and the rice came out; this illustrates a foolish person who bears guilt, does not think to seek repentance, and must wait for manifest retribution.