四分律行事鈔資持記 3.596

3.596

In the third [part], the first section first clarifies the procedure for leaving the araṇya. Donning robes, holding the staff, walking, and so on are bodily action; contemplating is mental action; seeing someone and asking after them is vocal action. 'Striking the dew staff' means removing dew from the grass for fear of wetting the robes; or it is said to mean holding the khakkhara to frighten away insects and beasts. From 'If approaching' onward, next is the procedure for entering a settlement to beg, which has six [parts]. First is the procedure for donning robes. From 'Arriving' onward is the second, the procedure for looking around. Arriving at the mark of the seventh door is because according to the Vinaya's regulations, one does not exceed seven households. According to the Sarvāstivāda Vinaya Vibhāṣā, there are three kinds of begging for food in succession: first, going to one house a day—if one gets food, one eats, and if insufficient, one stops; second, going in succession up to seven houses—if one gets food, one eats, and even if one does not, one stops; third, going in succession from house to house—when food is sufficient, one stops, without limit on number; on subsequent days, begging food follows the previous sequence again. According to this, following each person's intended practice, their undertakings differ, so it is not a fixed regulation. From 'To the right' onward is the third, the procedure for actual begging. 'By the side of the road' demonstrates modesty. 'In succession' means not choosing between the noble and the base. From 'According to' onward, one excludes households with vicious dogs, vicious cattle, and the like. In the Śūraṅgama-sūtra, Kāśyapa abandoned the rich to follow the poor, while Subhūti abandoned the poor to follow the rich; both were rebuked by the Buddha because it was not equal. From 'If a layperson' onward is the fourth, the procedure for receiving. 'Receiving by stepping forward' means seeing another bring food and stepping forward to receive it; because it violates a dignified appearance, it is prohibited. From 'Must not' onward is the fifth, the procedure for observing the proper time. From 'Having obtained food' onward is the sixth, the procedure for making mindful reflection. According to what follows, one must leave a share for thieves; or suspecting that thieves might snatch it, one does not make it exclusively one's own, and also lessens greedy feelings. From 'Up to' onward is the subsequent procedure for leaving the settlement. 'Advancing or not as before' is the same as the three karmic actions above.