四分律行事鈔資持記 3.636

3.636

In narrating the intent: in the initial passage, the first two lines explain propagating and establishing the teachings. That is, when the community of bhikṣus conducts affairs according to the Dharma, its transforming influence covers the times, brightening the world and producing goodness, giving rise to faith in sentient beings. It thereby manifests the height and depth of the Buddha's Dharma, and people know where to take refuge; hence it says, "Admiration is thus established." The four lines beginning with "humble" clarify what is honored by both the religious and the secular. "Humility, deference, yielding, and reverence" speak of their inner mind; "composing respect and gathering deportment" speak of their external appearance. Yielding oneself and considering oneself lowly is called humility and deference; honoring others and being focused and prudent is called respect and reverence. In the Confucian tradition there is the Book of Rites, which begins by saying, "Let there be nothing without respect." From this we know that respect is the master of ritual. Furthermore, the Confucian teachings do not go beyond the Five Constants, and ritual governs them. Thus the Analects says: "Respectfulness without ritual leads to weariness." From this we know that humility and respect are clearly indicated in secular classics; hence it says, "it heads the chapter." Moreover, below it cites the Buddha's regulations to revere the Buddha, Dharma, and Saṃgha; masters and disciples guide each other, and seniors, middles, and juniors pay respect to one another. From this we know that deference and reverence are placed foremost in the Buddha's Dharma; hence it says, "it began here"; or it may mean that whenever facing a sublime object or seeing a superior, one must always first pay respect, hence it is called "beginning." The lines beginning with "How could..." explain whether respect or haughtiness is permissible. The first two lines indicate what is inappropriate; the next two lines clarify that respect must be established. "Form" refers to shaving the hair; "clothing" means dyed robes; "haughtiness" means arrogance toward others. "Standard" refers to Dharma regulations, which are explained below. However, leaving household life differs from the secular world not only in outward deportment, but necessarily by relying on inner Dharma; hence it says "purifying and transforming."