佛制比丘六物圖 1.28

1.28

First, relying on the general text, without fixed dimensions. The Vinaya states: "Measure the body to make the robe, taking only what suffices." In the Mahīśāsaka-vinaya the hasta measurement is not fixed; the Buddha ordered that it accord with the proportions of one's own body, not necessarily following the standard hasta. Nowadays, robes are twelve or thirteen Chinese feet in length, and people say they are relying on the general text—is that not being overly general? Furthermore, they say this is 'measuring the body,' but their bodies are very small while their robes are very long—is that not measuring it without care? However, as for the method of measuring the body, many people do not understand it. The Yeshu states: "First, using the robe cloth, measure from the shoulder down to the ground, and four finger-breadths above the ankle, taking this as the body of the robe; the remaining segments and strip designs will then be sufficient to match proportionately."