勅修百丈清規
Revised Baizhang Pure Rules
禮部尚書臣胡濙等謹
Minister of Rites, Hu Ying, respectfully presents
題為重刊清規事禮科抄出。江西南昌府奉新縣百丈山大智壽聖禪寺住持僧忠智奏。本寺自唐時佛祖大智懷海禪師垂訓。名曰百丈清規。至元間僧德煇重新編刊遍行天下叢林。僧徒循規遵守。洪武拾伍年肆月貳拾伍日。節該奉太祖高皇帝聖旨榜例。諸山僧人不入清規者。以法繩之欽此欽遵。永樂拾年伍月初三日。節該奉太宗文皇帝聖旨榜例。僧人務要遵依舊制。名務祖風謹守清規。嚴潔身心。永樂二十二年十一月二十七日。該僧錄司官奏。僧眾多中間有等不守規矩合無依清規整治。節該奉仁宗昭皇帝聖旨。照依清規料治他欽此除欽遵外。近因本寺清規書板年遠無存。欽蒙皇上洪恩普度天下僧行。仍住原額寺院熏修香火。祝延聖壽。臣切見後學僧徒。多有未見清規體例。罔知軌度。不諳戒律。甚辱祖風。深為未便。臣依原體式重寫刊完。雖有歷朝序文。年代已遠。誠恐僧徒視為常事不行遵守。今將重刊清規印集一本。開坐具本親齎謹奏。伏望。聖恩憐憫教門乞勅賜清規序文刊圓成書頒行天下叢林寺院。住持首僧督眾講習。各慕祖風嚴持戒律。庶俾僧徒無傷風化。正統七年二月十二日。該通政使司右通政李錫等官於奉天門奏奉聖旨。禮部知道欽此欽遵抄出到部參照。住持僧忠智奏稱重刊百丈清規。乞賜序文一節。合無行移翰林院撰述惟復聽令本僧自行請人述作緣奉欽依禮部知道事理未敢擅便謹題請旨。正統七年二月十九日。禮部尚書胡濙等官於奉天門題奏。奉聖旨序著翰林院撰欽此除外遵依施行。
Topic: Reprint of the Monastic Rules
A memorial was submitted through the Ministry of Rites by the monk Zhongzhi, abbot of Dazhi Shousheng Temple on Baizhang Mountain in Fengxin County, Jiangxi Province. The memorial stated: "This temple has, since the Tang Dynasty, followed the teachings of the great patriarch Chan Master Dazhi Huaihai, known as the 'Baizhang Monastic Rules.' During the Yuan Dynasty, the monk Dehui revised and reprinted these rules, making them widely known in monasteries everywhere. Monks follow and abide by these rules.
On the 25th day of the 4th month in the 15th year of the Hongwu reign (1382 CE), an imperial edict from the Grand Progenitor (Emperor Hongwu) was received, stating that monks from all mountains who do not follow the Monastic Rules should be dealt with according to the law. This was respectfully implemented.
On the 3rd day of the 5th month in the 10th year of the Yongle reign (1412 CE), an imperial edict from the Grand Patriarch (Emperor Yongle) was received, stating that monks must uphold the old traditions, maintain the ancestral spirit, and strictly observe the Monastic Rules, keeping their minds and bodies pure.
On the 27th day of the 11th month in the 22nd year of the Yongle reign (1424 CE), the Office of Monastic Affairs reported to the throne that some monks were not following the rules and should be disciplined according to the Monastic Rules. The Imperial Ancestor (Emperor Renzong) decreed that they should be punished in accordance with the Monastic Rules. This was respectfully implemented.
Recently, however, the printing blocks for this temple's copy of the Monastic Rules have been lost due to age. Fortunately, the Emperor has graciously allowed all monks to remain at their respective temples, continue their practice of incense and offerings, and pray for His Majesty's longevity. I, Zhongzhi, observe that many monks of later generations have not seen the complete Monastic Rules. They are ignorant of its regulations, unfamiliar with its precepts, and have greatly disgraced the ancestral tradition. This is deeply inconvenient.
I have personally reprinted the text according to the original format. Although it contains prefaces from past dynasties, they are now very old. I fear that monks might treat this as an ordinary book and fail to observe its rules. I have now printed one copy of the reprinted Monastic Rules and humbly submit it to His Majesty. I earnestly implore Your Majesty, out of compassion for the Buddhist teachings, to grant an imperial preface for this reprint, so that it can be published and distributed to all monasteries. Let abbots and senior monks lead everyone in studying it, so that each monk may emulate the ancestral spirit, strictly uphold the precepts, and avoid any behavior that harms our culture."
On the 12th day of the 2nd month in the 7th year of the Zhengtong reign (1442 CE), Li Xi, Right Vice Minister of the Office of Transmission, and other officials presented this matter in the Fengtian Hall. The Emperor decreed: "Let the Ministry of Rites handle this."
After this command was received and transmitted to the Ministry, the officials reviewed the matter. Regarding the request from Abbot Zhongzhi for an imperial preface for the reprinted Baizhang Monastic Rules, they considered whether the Hanlin Academy should be ordered to compose one, or whether the monk should be allowed to ask someone to write it himself. However, since the Emperor's command was simply that the Ministry of Rites should "know of this matter," the officials did not presume to act without further instruction. They respectfully submitted a request for a decision.
On the 19th day of the 2nd month in the 7th year of the Zhengtong reign (1442 CE), Hu Ying, the Minister of Rites, and other officials made a formal request in the Fengtian Hall. The Emperor decreed: "Let the Hanlin Academy compose the preface." This command was respectfully implemented and followed.
正統七年四月十七日
On the seventeenth day of the fourth month in the seventh year of the Zhengtong reign.
長生天氣力裏 大福廕護助裏
By the power of the Eternal Heaven, And the protection of its vast blessings and grace.
皇帝聖旨行中書省行御史臺行宣政院官人每根底。宣慰司廉訪司官人每根底。軍官每根底軍人每根底。城子裏達魯花赤官人每根底。往來的使臣每根底。百姓每根底。眾和尚每根底。
Imperial edict: To the officials of the Provincial Secretariat, the Censorate, and the Bureau of Buddhist Affairs; to the officials of the Pacification Commission and the Surveillance Commission; to military officers and soldiers; to the darughachi and officials in the cities; to the envoys passing through; to the common people; and to all the monks.
宣諭的
The proclaimed decree
聖旨
An imperial edict.
成吉思皇帝 月闊台皇帝 薩禪皇帝 完者篤皇帝 曲律皇帝 普顏篤皇帝 格堅皇帝 忽都篤皇帝 札牙篤皇帝
Genghis Khan, Ögedei Khan, Külüg Khan, Öljeytü Khan, Görgü Khan, Buyantu Khan, Gegen Khan, Khutughtu Khan, Jayaghatu Khan.
亦輦真班皇帝聖旨裏和尚也里可溫先生每不揀甚麼。差發休當。告天祝壽。者麼道。說有來如今依著在先聖旨體例裏。不揀甚麼。差發休當。告天與咱每祝壽。者麼道。札牙篤皇帝教起蓋大龍翔集慶寺的時分。依著清規體例行。者麼道。曾行聖旨有來江西龍興路百丈大智覺照禪師在先立來的清規體例。近年以來各寺裏將那清規體例。增減不一了。有如今教百丈山大智壽聖禪寺住持德煇長老。重新編了。教大龍翔集慶寺笑隱長老為頭。揀選有本事的和尚。好生校正歸一者。將那各寺裏增減來的不一的清規。休教行依著這校正歸一的清規體例定體行。者麼道。執把的聖旨與了也。這的每寺院房舍裏使臣每休安下者。鋪馬祇應休拿者。稅糧休納者。但屬寺家水土園林。人口頭匹碾磨店鋪解典庫浴堂。竹園山場河泊船隻等。不揀是誰。休奪要者。休倚氣力者。這般宣諭了。呵別了的人每。要罪過者。更這的每有聖旨。麼道做沒體例句當。呵他每更不怕那聖旨。
Imperial Edict of Emperor Renzong: Monks, Christians (Erkeun), and Taoists—none shall bear any corvée labor or levies. They shall pray to Heaven for the Emperor's long life. Thus it has been decreed.
Now, following the precedent of previous imperial edicts, let no corvée or levy be imposed upon them; let them pray to Heaven for our long life. Thus decreed Emperor Zhayatu (Wenzong) when he founded the Great Longxiang Jiqing Temple, commanding that the monastic rules be observed accordingly.
In recent years, the monastic regulations established by the Great Wisdom Zen Master Baizhang Dazhi Juezhao of Longxing Prefecture, Jiangxi, have been altered inconsistently across various temples. Now, the abbot of Baizhang Mountain Dazhi Shousheng Temple, Elder Dehui, has been ordered to recompile them. The Elder Xiaoyin of the Great Longxiang Jiqing Temple shall lead a selection of capable monks to carefully correct and unify these rules.
The divergent revisions made by various temples shall no longer be followed; henceforth, all shall adhere to these corrected and unified regulations. Thus the imperial edict is issued.
No officials or envoys shall lodge in their temples or dwellings, nor shall they commandeer their horses or requisition supplies. They shall be exempt from land taxes. As for the monasteries' lands, waters, gardens, forests, laborers, livestock, mills, shops, pawnshops, bathhouses, bamboo groves, mountain fields, fisheries, boats, and the like—no one, regardless of status, shall seize them by force.
Should anyone defy this decree, they shall be held accountable. And should these monks, claiming imperial authority, commit unlawful acts, they too shall not escape the consequences of this edict.
元統三年猪兒年七月十八日。上都有時分寫來。皇帝聖旨裏。帝師公哥兒監藏班藏卜。法旨行中書省行御史臺行宣政院官人每根底。宣慰司廉訪司官人每根底。軍官每根底。軍人每根底。城子裏達魯花赤官人每根底。往來使臣每根底。本地面官人每根底。百姓每根底。眾和尚每根底。省諭的法旨。札牙篤皇帝蓋大龍翔集慶寺的時分。教依著百丈清規體例行了。聖旨有來這清規。是百丈大智覺照禪師五百年前立來的。如今上位加與弘宗妙行師號。更為各寺裏近年將那清規增減不一。教百丈山德煇長老重新編了。教龍翔寺笑隱長老校正歸一。定體行的。執把聖旨與了也。皇帝為教門的上頭。教依著這校正歸一的清規體例定體行。者麼道是要天下眾和尚每得濟的一般。您眾和尚每體著皇帝聖心。興隆三寶。好生遵守清規。修行辦道。專與上位。祈福祝壽報答聖恩。弘揚佛法者。不揀是誰。休別了者。見了法旨別了的人每。不怕那甚麼法旨。
In the third year of Yuantong, on the eighteenth day of the seventh month, the Year of the Pig, this decree was issued from Shangdu. By imperial command, the Imperial Preceptor Gongga Gyaincain Palzangpo issued this decree to the officials of the Central Secretariat, the Censorate, and the Bureau of Buddhist Affairs, as well as to the officials of the Pacification Commissions and Surveillance Offices, military officers, soldiers, the darughachi officials in the cities, traveling envoys, local officials, common people, and all monks.
When Emperor Zhayatu built the Great Longxiang Jiqing Temple, he ordered that the rules of the Baizhang Qinggui (Baizhang's Monastic Regulations) be followed. These regulations were established five hundred years ago by the great Zen master Baizhang Dazhi Juezhao. Now, the current emperor has bestowed upon him the honorary title "Hongzong Miaoxing."
In recent years, various temples have altered these regulations, adding or removing parts inconsistently. Therefore, the emperor has ordered the Elder Dehui of Baizhang Mountain to revise them anew and the Elder Xiaoyin of Longxiang Temple to correct and unify them, establishing a definitive standard. An imperial edict has been granted to enforce these corrected regulations.
The emperor, for the sake of the Buddhist teachings, has ordered that all adhere to these unified regulations. This is intended for the benefit of all monks under heaven. All monks should embody the emperor's benevolent intent, promote the Three Jewels, strictly observe the regulations, cultivate their practice, and dedicate their efforts to praying for the emperor's longevity, repaying his grace, and spreading the Dharma. No one shall violate these regulations. Those who see this decree and still go against it shall not fear any law.
鼠兒年四月十一日大都大寺裏有時分寫來。皇帝聖旨裏行宣政院。准宣政院咨。據僧子仲狀。告係江西道龍興路百丈山大智壽聖禪寺知事僧。元統三年七月十八日。本寺住持德煇長老。欽受御寶。聖旨節該。江西龍興路百丈大智覺照禪師在先立來的清規體例。近年以來各寺裏將那清規體例。增減不一了。有如今教百丈山大智壽聖禪寺住持德煇長老。重新編了。教大龍翔集慶寺笑隱長老為頭。揀選有本事的和尚。好生校正歸一者。將那各寺裏增減來的不一的清規。休教行。依著這校正歸一的清規體例定體行。者麼道執把的聖旨與了也。欽此除欽遵。外緣係各省開讀事理。欽錄聖旨全文。連前告乞施行。得此照得。元統三年五月初七日阿察赤怯薛第二日三吉怛納鉢裏有時分。對脫別台平章闊兒吉思。平章阿魯灰。院使舉里學士等。不蘭奚大司徒根底撒迪中丞。傳奉聖旨。江西龍興路裏有的百丈大智覺照禪師在先立來的清規體例。近年各寺裏將那清規體例。增減了。有如今教百丈寺裏住持德煇長老。重新編了。教大龍翔集慶寺笑隱長老為頭。揀選有本事的和尚。好生校正歸一。與定體執把行的聖旨。更百丈大智覺照禪師根底。加與弘宗妙行師號。宣政院行文書與詞頭宣命。者麼道聖旨了也。欽此除詞頭宣命具呈中書省照詳外。據聖旨。移付蒙古房就行。翰林院欽依頒降外。今據見告當院。除外欽錄聖旨全文在前。合行咨請照驗遍行合屬。欽依施行准此。除外欽錄全文在前。使院合下仰照驗。欽依施行。須議剳付者。
In the year of the Rat, on the eleventh day of the fourth month, this was written at the great monastery in Dadu. By imperial decree, the Branch Buddhist Registry issued this directive. In accordance with the memorial from the Central Buddhist Registry:
A petition was submitted by the monk Shi Zhong, who serves as the temple administrator of Dazhi Shousheng Chan Monastery on Baizhang Mountain in Longxing Circuit, Jiangxi Circuit. He stated that on the eighteenth day of the seventh month in the third year of the Yuantong era, the abbot of this monastery, Elder Dehui, respectfully received an imperial edict bearing the royal seal. The edict read:
"The monastic regulations established in the past by the Great Teacher Dazhi Juezhao of Baizhang in Longxing Circuit, Jiangxi, have in recent years been modified differently by various temples—some adding to them, some subtracting from them. Now it is ordered that the abbot of Dazhi Shousheng Chan Monastery on Baizhang Mountain, Elder Dehui, shall compile a new edition. Elder Xiaoyin of Dalong Xiangjiqing Monastery shall lead a team of selected capable monks to carefully correct and unify these regulations. The modified versions used in various temples shall no longer be followed; instead, all shall adhere to this corrected and unified set of monastic regulations as the standard."
An imperial edict was issued to this effect. Out of reverence, the above has been respectfully noted. Since this matter concerns the official proclamation and implementation across all provinces, the full text of the imperial edict is herewith transcribed, preceding the petition requesting its implementation.
Upon review, it is recorded that on the seventh day of the fifth month in the third year of the Yuantong era, during the second watch of the day at the residence of Aqcak, in the presence of Minister Tobtai, Minister Korgiz, Minister Aluhui, Academician Juli, and others, an imperial decree was orally transmitted through the Grand Tutor Bulanxi and the Censor Sadi to the following effect:
"The monastic regulations established in the past by the Great Teacher Dazhi Juezhao of Baizhang in Longxing Circuit, Jiangxi, have in recent years been modified by various temples with additions and subtractions. Now it is ordered that the abbot of Baizhang Monastery, Elder Dehui, shall recompile them, and Elder Xiaoyin of Dalong Xiangjiqing Monastery shall lead selected capable monks to carefully correct and unify them, establishing a definitive standard to be implemented under imperial decree. Furthermore, the Great Teacher Dazhi Juezhao of Baizhang shall be posthumously granted the additional honorific title 'Hongzong Miaoxing.' The Buddhist Registry shall process the necessary documents and submit them for the imperial pronouncement."
In accordance with these instructions, excluding the matter of the honorific title and proclamation which has been submitted to the Central Secretariat for review, the imperial decree has been forwarded to the Mongolian Affairs Office for proper issuance through the Hanlin Academy. Now, in response to the current petition before this office, aside from respectfully transcribing the full text of the imperial edict above, this directive is hereby issued for your verification and implementation throughout all jurisdictions under your authority. All shall comply accordingly.
This directive is formally issued.
右剳付百丈山大智壽聖禪寺德煇長老准此
Here is the translation:
Right section addressed to Elder Dehui of the Great Wisdom Shousheng Zen Temple on Baizhang Mountain, for this purpose.
蒙古字一行
至元二年 月 日