四分律刪繁補闕行事鈔 1.442

1.442

四明請師法。《律》中，由和尚命終，無人教授，多壞威儀；聽有依止，如上和尚法；令法倍增益流布。《僧祇》亦得名師為尊。請文云：「大德一心念！我某甲比丘，今請大德為依止阿闍梨。願大德為我作依止阿闍梨。我依大德故，得如法住！（三說。律文少語，加闍梨字）」彼言：「可爾！與汝依止，汝莫放逸。」《五分》云：「我當受尊教誡！」不者不成。先不相識者，應問和尚闍梨名字，先住何處、誦何經等。若不如法，應語云：「汝不識我，我不識汝，汝可往識汝處受依止。」若疑，應語小住，六宿觀之，合意為受。若依止師不答許可者，不成。《四分》云：彼遣使受依止，遣使與依止，皆不成。

Fourth, clarifying the protocol for requesting a master. In the vinaya, because upādhyāyas passed away and there was no one to instruct [the disciples], their deportment was often ruined; taking dependence was therefore permitted, as in the protocol for the upādhyāya above, causing the Dharma to multiply and spread. The Mahāsāṃghika-vinaya also allows addressing the master as "venerable." The text of the request reads: "Venerable One, with a focused mind, please pay attention! I, the monk named so-and-so, now request the Venerable One to be my dependence ācārya. May the Venerable One act as my dependence ācārya. Relying on the Venerable One, I shall abide according to the Dharma! (Say three times. The vinaya text has fewer words; the word ācārya is added)." That person replies: "Very well! I grant you dependence; do not be negligent." The Pañcavargika-vinaya states: "I shall receive the venerable one's admonitions!" If he does not [consent], it is not accomplished. If they were not previously acquainted, one should ask the names of his upādhyāya and ācārya, where he formerly lived, what scriptures he recites, and so forth. If he is not in accord with the Dharma, one should tell him: "You do not know me, and I do not know you; you may go to a place where you are known to take dependence." If there is doubt, one should tell him to stay briefly, observing him for six nights; if satisfied, grant it to him. If the dependence master does not reply with permission, it is not accomplished. The Dharmaguptaka Vinaya states: Sending a messenger to receive dependence, or sending a messenger to grant dependence, are both invalid.