On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v1.c14.25

v1.c14.25

For the words rendered in the above passage by "advanced to the Lion's Throne" that is, promoted to be chief bhikshus, the Chinese is tui-shêng-shi-tzŭ-chih-tso (推升師子之座). This Julien understood to mean "caused them to go up on the throne". The words might probably have this meaning in other places, but no good bhikshu would mount a rāja's throne, and it seems better to take shi-tzŭ-chih-tso here in its Buddhist sense as the throne of the head of the Order. The term, we know, does mean a king's throne, but Śīlāditya did not use a throne; and the other use of the term seems to be here more correct and suitable. The Lion's Throne of the Buddhists was originally the seat reserved for the Buddha, as leader of the congregation, in the chapels and Halls of the Monasteries; and afterwards it became the throne or seat of the chief bhikshu of a place. Promotion to the Lion's Throne was given locally by pious kings, and did not interfere with precedence among the Brethren. Here Śīlāditya promotes the most deserving bhikshus at his court, and makes them his private chaplains, personally receiving from them religious instruction.¹