勅修百丈清規 4.33

4.33

古規惟設監院。後因寺廣眾多。添都寺以總庶務。早暮勤事香火。應接官員施主。會計簿書出納錢穀。常令歲計有餘。尊主愛眾。凡事必會議。稟住持方行。訓誨行僕不妄鞭捶。設當懲戒擯罰。亦須稟議量情示警。毋縱威暴激變起訟。差設莊庫職務必須公平。毋用私黨致怨上下。昔叢林盛時。多請西堂首座書記。以充此職。而都監寺亦充首座書記。否則必臘高歷事廉能公謹。素為眾服者充之。既無取於公。而道福殊勝上下美留。雖連年不易。或數請再充。又何傷焉。故所在單寮勤舊不滿五六人。副寺以下非歷三次。不歸前資。監寺非三次。不歸蒙堂。都寺非三次不得居單寮。再請出充者。公界封鑰元房。以避嫌疑。齋粥二時必赴堂。則行僕行益自然整肅。如楊岐之輔慈明。石窓之輔宏智。可為法則。

The ancient rules established only the prior. Later, because monasteries grew broad and assemblies numerous, the chief prior was added to oversee general affairs. Morning and evening he diligently attends to the incense and lamps, receives officials and benefactors, audits account books, and oversees receipts and disbursements of money and grain, always keeping the annual budget in surplus. Revering the abbot and cherishing the assembly, in all matters he must confer together and report to the abbot before acting. He instructs the postulants and servants without reckless whipping or beating. Even when punishment or expulsion is called for, he must also report, deliberate, weigh circumstances, and issue warnings, never indulging in tyranny that stirs up upheavals and lawsuits. In appointing duties for manors and storehouses, he must be fair and impartial, never employing personal cliques to incur resentment between superiors and inferiors. Formerly, when the monastic groves flourished, the west hall, head seat, or scribe was often invited to fill this office, and the chief prior would likewise fill the role of head seat or scribe. Otherwise, someone of senior monastic age, experienced in affairs, incorruptible, capable, impartial, prudent, and customarily admired by the assembly was required to fill it. Since he seeks no personal gain from public funds, and his path and merit are extraordinary, superiors and inferiors gladly retain him. Even if he remains unchanged for successive years, or is repeatedly invited to serve again, what harm is there in that? Therefore, retired officers in private quarters at any place did not exceed five or six. Below the assistant prior, none returned to the former officers' rank unless they had served three terms; priors did not return to the infirmary hall unless they had served three terms; and chief priors could not reside in private quarters unless they had served three terms. When invited to serve again, the public administration sealed the keys to his original room to avoid suspicion. He must attend the hall for the two meals of porridge and midday meal, so that the conduct of the postulants will naturally be orderly and disciplined. Just as Yangqi assisted Ciming and Shichuang assisted Hongzhi, this can serve as a model.