大宋僧史略 2.12

2.12

Now, the word *si* [monastery] means to inherit (*si*); those who manage affairs succeed one another within it. Since the name of a government office is used, it must not undermine the work of Buddhist affairs. Therefore, as a son succeeds his father, and a disciple surpasses his teacher, this succession and following in footsteps must be pursued diligently to achieve success. According to the Western Regions, the monastic administrators are collectively called *karmadāna*, translated as "affairs manager" (*zhishi*) or "gladdener of the assembly" (*yuedzhong*), meaning that they manage affairs and gladden the assembly. Investigating the Buddha's lifetime: Kāśyapa led the assembly at Vulture Peak, Śāriputra oversaw affairs at the Bamboo Grove, and when Dabba Mallaputta was barely sixteen years old, he had already attained arhatship. Later, contemplating that the body is not durable, he requested to serve as monastic administrator; his fingers emitted light at night to distribute bedding to the monks. Therefore, the Buddha praised him, saying: "Among my disciples who manage lodging assignments and assign invitations to meals for the Saṃgha, Dabba Mallaputta is foremost." When they gathered to attend an invitation, [the monks asked] who should receive the first fruits, water, food, and so forth; the Buddha said: "He who has the highest monastic seniority shall do so"; this person is called the sthavira. When Buddhism gradually spread eastward, during the Han and Wei periods, it was as if a net lacked its main cord, or a boat had not dropped its stone anchor. By the time of the Yao Qin, those who had left home amounted to half the households. When Kumārajīva entered the Pass, three thousand arrived with tied provisions and wrapped feet. The Qin ruler decreed that Master Daoqi be selected as Rectifier of the Saṃgha, Huiyuan as Gladdener of the Assembly, and Faqin and Huibin to take charge as Monastic Registrars, granting them carriages and clerical staff. The Rectifier of the Saṃgha ranked equal to a Palace Attendant, while the others were graded accordingly. The establishment of monastic officials in this land began with Daoqi under the Qin.