四分律行事鈔資持記 3.30

3.30

Regarding the fixed dimensions: the Dharmaguptaka has both fixed and adaptable dimensions. First, it shows the fixed dimensions. The antarvāsas is seven feet two inches long and three feet six inches wide; this refers to the lower robe, used when walking on the road and performing work, so it is not suitable for it to be large. The Karma Commentary states: among the various schools, only the text of the Dharmaguptaka has the very smallest; because renunciants are impoverished, this is the norm. The other two robes are nine feet long and five feet four inches wide. Next, beginning from "however", it provides the adaptable dimensions. It merely states that the lower robe is the absolute smallest, from which it is clear that the other two robes are not the smallest. However, fearing that the height of a person's body may vary, the three robes therefore all conform to the adaptable dimensions. As for "measuring the body", there are two methods here: The first follows the Sarvāstivāda Vinaya Vibhāṣā. The Buddha's body was sixteen feet; his robe was eighteen feet long and twelve feet wide. An ordinary person is half of this: the robe is nine feet long and six feet wide. (Slightly different from the Dharmaguptaka.) Calculating according to this, for every one foot of human height, the length gets one foot one inch and two and a half tenths, and the width gets seven inches and five tenths. Increasing it like this, an eight-foot person may wear a robe nine feet long and six feet wide. Increasing it further up to the Buddha's measure also has no discrepancy. If the proportions of the body do not correspond, diminishing it results in frugality, while exceeding it requires a statement of purification. The second follows the Karma Commentary: tailor and measure according to the body. The commentary says: from the shoulders down to four finger-breadths above the ankles constitutes the body of the robe; the remaining strips and panels are sufficient to match it. This means that human bodies mostly vary in length, but rarely in thickness; even if someone is fat or thin, it does not hinder wearing it. Therefore, it only gives the dimension of width and does not explain the method for length. (Some say the remaining strips and panels refer to the length; I now say that the panels exist in both width and length, so why would it be only the long side?) Moreover, few people today reach eight feet; simply taking within nine feet is sufficient to match. This is truly because the right corner of the kaṣāya is originally on the left shoulder, or hanging under the armpit; therefore, a nine-foot garment is quite suitable for an eight-foot body. Nowadays, the right corner hangs down in front, which violates the proper method of wearing; this causes the long side to exceed twelve feet, while the width does not reach five feet. Dragging long like an elephant's trunk, with every movement they violate deportment. Deeply deluded by long-established custom, how can one admonish them? If one truly resolves to uphold the Dharma, what more need be said? Words such as "moderate the measure" in the text were originally meant to admonish against greed and cause one to know contentment; thus it says "merely taking what is sufficient." Citing it here now is intended to show adaptation to circumstances, hence it says "according to this" and so forth. The word "measure" (du) is pronounced in the entering tone, meaning to tailor and measure. The word "take" (qu) is pronounced in the departing tone, meaning roughly.