法苑珠林 47.24

47.24

Furthermore, the Brahmajāla-sūtra says: If one is a disciple of the Buddha, one should sit in order according to the Dharma: those who received the precepts earlier sit in front, and those who received the precepts later sit behind. Regardless of age, whether monk, nun, noble person, king, prince, or even eunuch or slave, all should sit with those who received the precepts earlier in front, and those who received the precepts later sitting in succession. Do not be like the foolish people among non-Buddhists, where young and old have no front or back, sitting without order after the manner of soldiers and slaves. In my Buddha-Dharma, the seniors sit first and the juniors sit afterward. If a bodhisattva does not sit in order, he commits an offense of light defilement (duṣkṛta). If a disciple of the Buddha constantly carries out transformation through teaching, entering with great compassion among noble donor families and all assemblies, he must not stand to explain the Dharma for laypeople. He should sit on a high seat before the lay assembly. A Dharma master must not stand on the ground to explain the Dharma for the fourfold assembly and laypeople. When explaining the Dharma, the Dharma master sits on a high seat, offered perfumes and flowers, and the fourfold assembly of listeners sits below, like being filial to parents and respectfully obeying the teacher's instruction like a fire-worshipping brāhmaṇa. If the one explaining the Dharma does not act according to the Dharma, he commits an offense of light defilement.