[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Buddhist Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha) › [Taishō Tripiṭaka (Chinese Buddhist canon)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho) › [勅修百丈清規](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025) › [The Baizhang Zen Monastic Regulations](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025~en-bdk) › 1.64 # 勅修百丈清規 1.64 The Baizhang Zen Monastic Regulations 1.64 - **Language:** English ### [1.64](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025~en-bdk.1.64) The blooming of the lotus flower is an auspicious sign in this world, just as it was auspicious that the Buddha was born into this world. The enlightenment he realized under the bodhi tree has continued in succession in this world of humans for as long as the age of heaven. By nature, the divine quality accumulated through previous lives was cultivated in order to inherit the great and splendid plans of the Sage (i.e, Śākyamuni Buddha). How vast is the Yuan! How supreme is the Yuan! It embodies the origin and abides in the very heart of it. It meets with the utmost zenith and returns to it, and thereby erects the utmost and establishes its center of the universe. The harmonious way of our tradition has, indeed, received an advantage at the time of the best governance, comparable to that of the ancient Sage. The bells and drums of this forest (i.e., monastic tem- ple) enjoy times of peace, their sound expanding and increasing. Grasses, trees, and insects receive the permeating benefit of such advan- tage. Good omens inaugurate the dawn and hymns celebrate the flow- ery hill. While the robes (i.e., hands) fall and do nothing, yet may heaven and earth take their positions, myriads of things be nourished and grow, forms be created, the principles of yin and yang be harmo- nized, the four seasons be in proper order, longevity be enjoyed for ten thousand years, and the root and branches be extended for one hun- dred generations. 3. The Word of Praise on Coronation Day and the Four Monthly Days of Festivity On the commemorative day of the imperial coronation, at the beginning of the month and mid-month, and on the eighth and twenty-third days of each month, the practice hall novice attendants are obliged, the night before, to notify the practitioners of the ceremonial rite \[to be conducted the next day\], and post the tablet indicating the schedule of sutra chanting. The following morning, when the sound of the large bell ceases, the practice hall bell is tolled to assemble the practitioners and all proceed to the Buddha hall. The director leads the recitation of the Śūraṃgama-dhāraṇīs and invokes the name of Medicine Buddha. When this rite is completed, the director concludes with the following invocation of merit transference: On the morning of such-and-such day and month, Abbot So-and-so, who has been entrusted with the Dharma, at Such-and-such Temple of such-and-such district and province, has respectfully assembled all the members of this temple at the Buddha hall, and they have recited in unison the \[dhāraṇīs\] of the Śūraṃgama-sūtra and praised the sacred names of the Buddhas. The merit thereby accrued is dedicated to the festivity and promotion of everlasting imperial well-being and longevity. Veneration to Adamantine Immeasurable Life Buddha, Benevolent King Bodhisattva, and so on. 4. The Word of Praise for the First and Mid-month Days in the Tripiṭaka Hall From ancient times, it has been customary on these days to read the sutras and conduct the prayer for imperial longevity. Today it is regarded as a norm, a most suitable expression of reverence for the throne, to rise early in the morning and assemble at the Tripiṭaka hall to conduct the prayer rite for the sake of imperial longevity before the altar. As an alternative, the practice has been that after breakfast and after the morning session is over, the bell is tolled to assemble the practitioners and they proceed to the Tripiṭaka hall for the same purpose. The director recites the title of the Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra (Mahāprajñāpāramitā-sūtra; Banruoboluomiduojing) while the practitioners silently pray. The abbot then leads the procession, each member holding his palms together, in three circumambulations around the building, or a single circumambulation if the number of participants is too large. They then return to their former positions and remain standing. Thereupon, the director calls for the chanting of the Mahākāruṇikacitta-dhāraṇīs (Dabeixintuoloni; Esoteric Prayer Verses Praising Great Compassion) and concludes with the following invocation of merit transference: The Lotus-store ocean in the Huayan (“Flower Ornament”) universe is filled with vast perfect illumination. Its artfulness in creating effects is beyond the creation of nature, and its path totally transcends names and words. The light of the sun, moon, and stars winds down like lightning, submerging in the absolute state of existence-as-it-is. Although light rushes back and forth in all six directions (i.e., north, east, south, west, zenith, and nadir), this ocean is profoundly quiescent. The mystery of this ocean is indeed inexhaustible no matter how much and how far it is praised and exalted. On the felicitous morning of the first day of the month (or mid- month day), the abbot of this temple of such-and-such province, entrusted with the Buddha-Dharma, the imperial subject, priest So-and-so, has respectfully called for this assembly of all the practitioners of this tem- ple. Having completed three circumambulations of the Tripiṭaka hall, we recited the title of the Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra, with mind- fulness and continued to turn the wheel of the Dharma treasure of the heavenly palace and intoned in unison the sacred Mahākāruṇikacitta- dhāraṇīs. The merit thereby accrued is dedicated to the festivity and promotion of everlasting imperial well-being and longevity. Venera- tion to Adamantine Immeasurable Life Buddha, Benevolent King Bodhisattva Mahāsattva, and Mahāprajñāpāramitā. 5. The Word of Praise for Daily Ritual Services Twice a day, at breakfast and the noon meal, the practitioners leave the prac- tice hall and are obliged to assemble at the Buddha hall. The director intones the Amitābha-dhāraṇī (Wuliangshouzhou; Immeasurable Life Dhāraṇī ) three times and concludes with the following invocation of merit transference: Having intoned the sacred verses of the esoteric chapter, we respect- fully dedicate the merit accrued thereby to the festivity and promotion of the well-being and longevity of the present emperor. Veneration to Adamantine Immeasurable Life Buddha, and so on. - [Previous: 1.39](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025~en-bdk.1.39) - [Next: 1.71](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025~en-bdk.1.71) - [Up: 1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025~en-bdk.1) ## Translations (1) - [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025~en-mt.1.64) — English, machine translation ## Linked texts (1) - [勅修百丈清規](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025.1.64) — Classical Chinese --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025~en-bdk.1.64](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025~en-bdk.1.64) · Pramāṇa