勅修百丈清規 3.132

3.132

The two ranks and retired officers assemble for tea in the storehouse to deliberate and invite an abbot to fill the vacancy. They also invite eminent figures from the rivers and lakes, and the great assembly conducts a public joint election. One must select someone whose lineage eye is clear, whose virtue is venerable and age advanced, whose conduct is upright and pure, and who is capable of inspiring the confidence of the assembly. Furthermore, this must accord with public opinion across various monasteries. Thereafter, they list their names on a joint declaration and submit a recommendation to the relevant authorities to invite him. If the abbot is the right person, the way of the Dharma will be honored and the monastery gate will have glory. Those who serve as retired officers and administrators must not practice factionalism or collusion on account of being fellow-countrymen or Dharma-kin, disregarding ability and virtue, or merely following bribes so as to establish factions and indulge favoritism, snatching from one another and causing the monastery to fall into ruin and decay. Because the responsibility lies in this, one must be exceedingly cautious, exceedingly cautious!