Chen Collection, Middle Volume. Radical: Tree (mù). Kangxi stroke count: 5. Page 509, Entry 07. Ancient script form is written as a variant form (běn). According to the Tang Rhyme (Tangyun) and the Orthodox Rhyme (Zhengyun), it is pronounced bǔn. According to the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun) and the Rhyme Compilation (Yunhui), it is pronounced bǔn (rising tone). According to the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen), the bottom of a tree is called ben. It is derived from the character for tree with a horizontal stroke placed beneath it, representing the root or foundation of plants and trees. From the Commentary of Zuo (Zuozhuan), Year 1 of Duke Zhao: Trees and water have roots and sources. From Ban Gu, Western Capital Rhapsody (Xidu fu): Addressing the fundamental origins, exhaustively seeing and broadly hearing. Also, according to the Jade Compendium (Yupian), it means the beginning. Also, according to the Broad Rhyme (Guangyun), it means old or bottom. From the Book of Rites (Liji), Ritual Vessels: Returning to the roots and cultivating the ancient, not forgetting one's beginning. From the Er-ya, Explaining Objects Commentary: The root is the foundation; the base of all things must be at the bottom. Also, according to the Commentary on the Commentary of Zuo (Zuozhuan zhu): To prepare a location in advance is called spreading the foundation. Also, from the Summary of Rituals (Quli): Leeks are called lush foundations; the roots of sweet flag are called flourishing foundations. Also, according to the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun) and the Classified Characters (Leipian), it is pronounced būn. Equivalent to the character for run (bēn). To describe virtue and promote fame is called ben-zou (running). Also, rhymes with the sound bian. From Ban Jieyu, Rhapsody on Pounding Silk (Daosu fu): The tuning does not follow the standard laws, the sounds have no fixed foundation. Sometimes leaping continuously and throwing again, sometimes briefly relaxing and constantly gathering. Textual verification: The Summary of Rituals (Quli) commentary states that leeks are called lush foundations. I have noted that the statement about leeks being lush foundations is from the primary text and not the commentary, so the character for commentary has been omitted.