[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) › 7.143 # 勅修百丈清規 7.143 The Baizhang Zen Monastic Regulations 7.143 - **Language:** English ### [7.143](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025~en-bdk.7.143) First Day: The practice hall office issues the draft of the “Record Book.” The Spring Memorial Day or “Clear and Bright Day” (qingmingri): The administrative office instructs the practitioners to clean the patriarchal hall, the patriarchal commemorative towers, and the patron donors’ family shrines; to solemnly arrange due offerings; and to conduct the service of sutra chanting. A signboard is posted, prohibiting any act of harvesting from the temple’s hills and forests and its tea and bamboo fields. Fourth Lunar Month First Day: Closing of the transient quarters. Fourth through Fifth Day: The rite of incense offering as request for general exhortation. Eighth Day: The Birthday of Śākyamuni Buddha and the ceremonial bathing of the statue of the infant Buddha. The administrative office prepares a special offering of rice cooked with plant leaves prior to the day of this event. The abbot’s office invites the practitioners for light refreshments prior to the summer retreat. Thirteenth Day: Setting up the area for the Śūraṃgama-dhāraṇīs prayer service. Fifteenth Day: The inauguration of the summer retreat. Depending on the weather conditions, this is the time to take down the heavy warm screen at the hall entrance and put up the light cool one. Fifth Lunar Month Fifth Day: The Duanwu Festival Day. Early in the morning, the administrative official burns incense in the practice hall and serves sweet flag tea. The abbot’s ascent to the Dharma hall and inauguration of the prayer session for the growth of rice seedlings in the field. The practice hall office issues the list of sutras to be chanted at the various quarters. The maintenance official checks the building compounds to repair roof leakage, clean the buildings, and clear the sewage and ditch drainage systems. The abbot visits the quarters, hermitages, and commemorative towers, and each of these offices conducts a tea reception throughout the day. Mosquito nets are set up in the practice hall. Sixth Lunar Month First Day: The rising of heat; the primary seat official excuses the striking of the wooden sounding block located at the outer practice hall to signal zazen practice. Entering the hottest time of summer, the practice hall official airs out and arranges the hall mats. The charcoal supply master or the managing treasury official prepares charcoal balls. Seventh Lunar Month First Ten Days: The practice hall official issues the list of sutras to be chanted at the various quarters on Ullambana (Memorial) Day. Donations are collected from the practitioners prior to the day and a box of cooked rice for offering is prepared. Thirteenth Day: Completion of the Śūraṃgama-dhāraṇīs prayer service. Fifteenth Day: Commencement of the summer retreat, the Ullambana Day service, sutra chanting, and alms-serving. Eighth Lunar Month First Day: Opening the transient quarters (the guest reception official has had the mats of the quarters aired out beforehand). Practitioners of deep intent and practice are not yet prepared to leave their space units. The practice hall mosquito nets are taken down. Ninth Lunar Month First Day: The primary seat official again begins to strike the wooden sounding block to signal zazen practice at the practice hall. The practice hall official arranges for repair of the window screens of the practice hall with glue and paper. The cool summer screen at the hall entrance is taken down and the warm winter screen is put up. Ninth Day: The administrative official burns incense in the early morning and serves herb tea (dogwood-leaf tea) for the practitioners. The abbot ascends to the Dharma hall and conducts interviews with practitioners coming from all directions with the intent of establishing residency at the temple. Tenth Lunar Month First Day: The opening of the hearth in the practice hall and granting of the group interview. Fifth Day: The Memorial Day of Bodhidharma. Eleventh Lunar Month Twenty-second Day: The Imperial Councilor’s Memorial Day. Winter Solstice Day: The administrative office beforehand purchases fruit to be served to the practitioners. Appointments to and resignations of official positions should be completed during this month; this may be conducted on New Year’s Day. The abbot’s office serves light refreshments for the residents prior to the winter season. Twelfth Lunar Month Eighth Day: The Commemorative Day of the Buddha’s Enlightenment. The administrative office beforehand prepares special rice gruel cooked with red beans. Thirty-first Day: Closure of all record books. End of Chapter VIII: The Annual Celebration Days and Calendar End of Fascicle Seven - [Previous: 7.135](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025~en-bdk.7.135) - [Next: 8.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025~en-bdk.8.1) - [Up: 7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025~en-bdk.7) ## Translations (1) - [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025~en-mt.7.143) — English, machine translation ## Linked texts (1) - [勅修百丈清規](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025.7.143) — Classical Chinese --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025~en-bdk.7.143](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025~en-bdk.7.143) · Pramāṇa