勅修百丈清規 5.50

5.50

In Sanskrit it is called khakkhara; here it is called 'pewter staff' (xizhang). The Pewter Staff Sūtra says: 'The Buddha told the monks, "You should receive and uphold the pewter staff, because all Buddhas of the past, future, and present have held it." It is also called the staff of wisdom, and also called the staff of virtue, because it displays the root of wise practice and meritorious virtue. Kāśyapa addressed the Buddha, "Why is it named xizhang?" The Buddha said, "Xi means light (qing); because by relying on this staff one eliminates afflictions and transcends the three realms. Xi means clear/bright (ming); because one attains the clarity of wisdom. Xi means awaken (xing); because one awakens to suffering, emptiness, and the bond of the three realms. Xi means distant/severed (shu); meaning the holder is distant and severed from the five desires." Two prongs with six rings was instituted by Kāśyapa Buddha; four prongs with twelve rings was instituted by Śākyamuni Buddha.'