尼羯磨 1.4

1.4

In my youth with keen thought, I set my mind upon this purpose, looking deeply into the supreme teachings and examining the paths of meaning; passing through many seasons of heat and cold, I hope there are no grave errors. However, from antiquity various virtuous masters have arrived at differing interpretations, and in establishing the saṃgha's karman procedures, there have been four versions in total. Among them, matters that are identical with the monks' [procedures] were not separately recorded, while those that differ were divided according to category. In the Sui dynasty, Vinaya Master Yuan determined karman texts for both orders in general, circulating two separate fascicles for monks and nuns (some successors casually split the nuns' procedures into three fascicles). Furthermore, in the Song dynasty, Guṇavarman extracted the nuns' [procedures] for separate circulation, compiling them into one fascicle. I have thoroughly investigated the compilations of all schools; yet in collating and seeking the texts, many discrepancies were still found. Thus, despite my lack of talent, I have systematically set forth the procedures for nuns, dividing them into three fascicles and forming a single work. Hoping neither to add nor subtract, in order to suit the needs of the time, I have simply taken established texts, not daring to force arbitrary interpretations. My only wish is that the jewel of the precepts may shine ever brighter, matching the sun and moon in equal radiance; and that this transmission may preserve its fragrance like the bound grass, enduring alongside heaven and earth. May those who read this in the future understand this aspiration.