四分律比丘含注戒本 1.5

1.5

原夫正戒明禁，唯佛制、開；賢聖緘默，但知祇奉。故律論所述，咸宗本經；自餘位班，曾未揣度。總敘諸見，師心者多；考定昔緣，良所未暇。今以戒本繁略，隱義局文，用則失儀，捨則非據，若不顯相，人難具依。

Now, tracing the origin of the true precepts and clear prohibitions, they were instituted and exempted by the Buddha alone; sages and worthies remained silent, knowing only to pay reverent homage. Therefore, what is expounded in the Vinaya treatises all takes the root sūtra as the authority; those in other ranks have never dared to speculate. In summarizing the various views, many followed their own minds; to verify and determine the past conditions is truly something for which there was no leisure. Now, because the text of the Prātimokṣa is both verbose and abridged, its hidden meanings confined by the phrasing, implementing it causes loss of propriety, while abandoning it lacks textual authority. If its features are not made manifest, people will find it difficult to comply with it fully.