四分律行事鈔資持記 3.27

3.27

In the Mahāsāṃghika-vinaya, it first shows whether dyeing materials are proper or improper. Saffron root can dye things yellow. Carthamus is safflower. Blue dye is indigo paste. Patterned colors refer to mottled patterns. Next, beginning from "it is permitted to use", it explains what accords with the Dharma. Gomaya is cow dung. In the western land, cattle eat fragrant herbs, and people esteem it; in this land, it is not suitable, so it should not be used. Next, beginning from "the Prātimokṣa", it explains the designations and characteristics of proper colors: first citing the Prātimokṣa to show the names, and next citing the extensive text to reveal the characteristics. "Verdigris" refers to greenish brown, like the color of ancient bronze. (Nowadays, that which is baked into verdigris is merely a primary color.) "Mixed mud" refers to soaking fruit juice in iron vessels, which consequently turns black; the dark silt at the bottom of a river can also dye things black. When it says mangosteen is fruit juice, this considerably contradicts its visible color, so a note is provided to harmonize them. "The translator of this Vinaya" refers to this very division of ours. The Yao Qin had its capital at Chang'an, hence it is called the northern region. The Mahāsāṃghika-vinaya was translated in Yangdu, hence it is called the Wu region. Next, beginning from "I", personal observation is cited as evidence. It can be verified that the translation and transmission of the Mahāsāṃghika-vinaya lost the intended meaning. The Shu region is Sichuan; by this one knows that mangosteen (mulan) is indeed a Chinese term. Pointing to the Sudarśana refers to the bright red color in the next heading.