翻譯名義集 7.23

7.23

[Maṇḍala] (Pronounced li-ge). Here it is translated as "altar" (tan). The newer translation says its correct name is maṇḍala. Regarding the "altar," Zheng Xuan's commentary on the Li says: "Mounded earth is called tan; cleared ground is called shan." Mounding means raising earthen boundaries; tan means tan [level, flat]. Tan is the appearance of clarity. The Han shu yinyi says: "Compacted earth built high is called an altar (tan); ground cleared flat is called a ground (chang)." The Guoyu says: "The ground cleared by an altar is called a ground." Clearing means sweeping clean. The Book of Zhou says: "Constructing three altars on the same cleared ground." Shan means cleared ground. The Shuowen says: "Wild ground." The Erya says: "Where deer rest is called a ground." The Book of Odes says: "In the ninth month they make the ground and vegetable garden." The commentary says: "In spring and summer it is a vegetable garden; in autumn and winter it is a threshing ground. A ground means levelling the earth's surface to process grain upon it."