A Good Landlord in the Tang Dynasty: Starting from the Village Chief

Chapter 781 Rules of Conduct
In the Hall of Heavenly Kings,

Maitreya Buddha always has a smile on his face, holding prayer beads in his right hand and a pocket in his left.

On either side of the main hall stand the Four Heavenly Kings.

The Heavenly King Dhritarashtra, dressed in white and holding a pipa; the Heavenly King Virudhaka, dressed in blue and holding a canopy; the Heavenly King Virupaksha, dressed in red and holding a dragon; and the Heavenly King Vaishravana, dressed in green and holding a pagoda.

Maitreya's golden statue shone brightly.

The painted Four Heavenly Kings are also exceptionally tall and majestic.

Behind the golden, smiling Maitreya Buddha stands a majestic and solemn heavenly general, Weituo, clad in heavy armor and wielding a vajra.

Ordinary people who enter this Heavenly King's Hall will be awestruck by its presence.

But at this time,
Li Yi stood in the Heavenly God Temple. He had just come to offer incense, and he was all smiles, just like Maitreya Buddha.
But what was said,
This silenced the three leaders of the temple.

Two hundred monks and three hundred novices were left behind, and ordination certificates were issued to them. Each monk was given twenty mu of land, totaling one hundred qing.

Three thousand shi of grain were reserved for the five hundred monks in the temple for a year.

More than a thousand monks either returned to their original temples or left the monastic life.

The large number of lay servants who performed duties in the temple were also to leave.

The seated Huiyin held prayer beads in his hand, turning them continuously.

The abbot, Huida, had a hint of anger on his face, but dared not speak out.

This Minister Li did not come to offer incense alone.

Instead, he brought three hundred armored imperial guards with him into the temple, and outside the temple, there were three thousand elite soldiers.

"I have heard that Shakyamuni was a prince of ancient India who renounced his worldly life to seek the Dharma to save all sentient beings. Under the Bodhi tree, he meditated for forty-nine days and finally became a Buddha."

Buddhist scriptures describe him as possessing great compassion, wisdom, and enlightenment, with boundless spiritual power; hence, he is called the Great Buddha. Beside the Buddha are two Bodhisattvas, Samantabhadra and Manjushri. Samantabhadra is of high moral character and boundless merit, while Manjushri is of profound learning and deep wisdom.

Vina Huishi nodded repeatedly; his fat head and big ears did resemble Maitreya somewhat.

I have also heard that,
After Shakyamuni Buddha attained enlightenment, he established precepts prohibiting monks from accumulating eight kinds of impure things.

Several masters,

May I ask, what are the eight impure things that the Buddha forbade monks from accumulating?

This original precept is recorded in the Nirvana Sutra, the Avatamsaka Sutra, and other scriptures.

As soon as Li Yi said this,
The monks fell even more silent.

This precept originates from the original teachings of the Buddha's time, which prohibit monks from accumulating eight types of items. Accumulating these eight impure items easily arouses attachment and violates the practice principle of contentment with little.

“Brahmahayana is pure conduct.”

The Buddha forbade the Sangha from purchasing land and houses, storing grain, keeping slaves, keeping livestock, hoarding gold, silver, and jewels, or accumulating the eight impure things, all of which are considered impure.

"Master Huiyin, am I telling the truth?"

Huiyin nodded.

What Li Yi said all comes from many Buddhist scriptures.
However, these precepts
Few monks in temples still follow this rule.

Each temple owned a large amount of land, employed tenants and even kept servants. In addition, the money and grain originally donated were used to help people during famines without charging interest or even demanding that the principal be returned in the future.

But now?
Xiangji Kitchen and Changsheng Storehouse both became places that used the name of Sanbao (a famous Chinese treasure shop) to lend money and collect interest for profit.

Many monks in temples even used this opportunity to lend money at exorbitant interest rates.

These all violate the Buddha's original precepts.

The monks could not answer.

If it were an ordinary person, they might be able to argue back, but this is Minister Li, who would dare to argue with him?

Li Yi smiled and had someone bring him a book.

"This is the 'Buddhist Rules of Conduct' formulated by the Venerable Bao Gong of the Great Zhuangyan Temple in Chang'an. All ten of the Venerable Bao Gong participated in its formulation."
Furthermore, the three chief priests of all the temples in the capital, as well as the more than one hundred eminent monks newly bestowed titles by His Majesty, all participated and approved.

Since Dao'an of the Eastern Jin Dynasty first established three regulations for monks and nuns, Chinese Buddhism has often established separate prohibitions in addition to the precepts. For example, Zhi Dun established the ceremonial rules for gatherings of monks, Huiyuan established the rules for establishing religious societies, and even Emperor Wu of Liang built Guangzhai Temple in Jinling, appointed Fayun as the abbot, and established the monastic system as a model for later generations.

The organization of temples today follows the Three Cardinal Guides system, with the Abbot, the Headmaster, and the Chant Master as the three cardinal guides.

A country has its laws, and a family has its rules.

Since it is called the Buddhist Rules of Conduct, then these are the precepts established for Buddhism today.

The content consists of nine volumes, and everything from the management organization of the temple to the management precepts has been revised.

Although it was primarily written by Bao Gong Da De, with the other nine Da De and over a hundred newly appointed Da De co-signing, this set of rules was actually created by Li Yi.

Li Yi borrowed the Baizhang Rules of Zen Buddhism.

The rules of the monastic community emphasize discipline and precepts.

Ordinary people must abide by the law, while monks must abide by the precepts.

The Buddhist community in the Tang Dynasty today also has many sects, each with its own characteristics, and there is no unified organizational system or management standard.

Li Yi pulled out Bao Gong and the other ten monks and compiled this Buddhist code of conduct to put a bridle on the currently chaotic Buddhist community and make it easier to manage.

Li Yi felt that the existing Three Cardinal Guides system was insufficient.

According to the newly compiled rules, the core of each monastery's organization will be the abbot, who will be a highly virtuous person with insightful understanding of the Dharma and respectable character. He must be diligent in his practice, knowledgeable in Zen principles, and serve as the spiritual leader and role model for the monastic community.

Their duties include managing temple affairs and presiding over sermons. Their residence is called the abbot's quarters.

This was the original seat of honor, now it has been changed to abbot.

Of course, it's not just a simple name change. There are hidden conditions involved. For example, the abbots of each temple must be highly virtuous, but these virtuous individuals must be appointed and conferred titles by the imperial court.

From among the eminent monks of each temple, one was nominated and appointed abbot by the imperial court. The abbot of a prominent temple, especially one of the most respected, was called the "Fangzhang" (方丈), a title of higher rank than "Zhushi" (住守). Others who were granted the title of "Da De" (大德) but did not serve as abbot, or who had stepped down from the position, became temple elders. Below the abbot...
This is a completely new system of steward monks, with a clear division of labor: the East Wing, which is mainly responsible for administrative affairs, and the West Wing, which is mainly responsible for spiritual practice.

The East Gate Temple was established to oversee all affairs of the temple, with the Superintendent in charge of general administration. The Deputy Superintendent was in charge of finances, the Chant Master was responsible for discipline, the Head Cook was in charge of cooking, and the Head Steward was in charge of agricultural affairs.

The western section is headed by a chief monk who leads the monks; a scribe who is in charge of documents; a librarian who manages scriptures; a guest master who is responsible for reception; a temple master who is in charge of incense offerings; and a bath master who manages bathing, etc.

The Three Cardinal Guides were abolished, and the management authority of monasteries was centralized in the hands of the abbot.
Two-order division of labor.

Because the position of abbot must be held by a highly virtuous person, and such a person must be granted an official title by the imperial court, this system of monastic rules effectively brought Buddhist temples under the control of the imperial court.

The abbot of each temple is nominated by the senior monks and the two order of monks, and recommended by the previous abbot. However, he must be a highly virtuous monk, and the title of a highly virtuous monk must be bestowed by the imperial court.

Therefore, the imperial court truly controlled the selection of abbots for each temple, and all the power in the temples rested with the abbots.

In addition to organizational restructuring,
The rules also established the monastery's operational structure, such as stipulating that responsibilities should be shared between superiors and subordinates. In addition to strictly adhering to the precepts, observing vegetarianism, and chanting scriptures, monks were also required to participate in labor such as farming, gathering firewood, and carrying water.

A day without work, a day without food,
Not eating after noon, not eating meat, etc.

Farming and Zen practice were given equal importance, and the monastery was self-sufficient.

In addition, the monastic community discusses important matters together, and there is a system of punishment for violations of the precepts. If a violation of the law is committed, the matter will be handed over to the government for legal processing.

Under this set of rules,

Other important core provisions include prohibiting monks and nuns from accumulating the eight impure items and prohibiting temples from lending money and collecting interest in the name of the Three Jewels.

The "Buddhist Rules of Conduct" is a fundamental law of Buddhism, endorsed by eminent monks such as Bao Gong, under the instruction of Li Yi.

From organizational structure to monastic precepts,
Furthermore, there are unified regulations regarding the ordination of monks and the handling of their property.

These regulations must be followed.

Because of this nine-volume set of rules...

It was compiled under the leadership of ten virtuous scholars, with over a hundred other virtuous individuals contributing their names, and was officially promoted by the imperial court.

It thus possesses extremely strong binding force.

White Horse Temple
It is the ancestral temple of Buddhism, holding a lofty position.

Ke Baogong and others possessed ten great virtues, yet their status was above that of Huiyin and others.

When Li Yi now takes out the rules of conduct...
They even brought out the original Buddhist precepts.
Even the eminent monk Huiyin could not refute it.

According to these old precepts and new rules of conduct,

The White Horse Temple occupied over 1,600 hectares of land, had a large number of monks without ordination certificates, several thousand lay servants to perform their duties, and had amassed a great deal of wheat, millet, money, and silk.

They also lend money and grain for interest, and have many workshops, etc.
These are all violations of ancient precepts.

Everyone used to do this.
But now, Bao Gong and the other ten virtuous men have compiled this set of rules, and more than a hundred virtuous men have signed their support.
This is different.

In particular, it was Li Yi, the Minister of Works, who had just destroyed the Three Ranks Sect, who produced this set of rules.

Abbot Huida never expected that the monks in Chang'an would behave this way. They were outside the secular world, so how could they be so subservient to the imperial court?

"Venerable Master Huiyin, you are also a highly respected and virtuous monk."

Today, eminent monks from all sects and major temples of Buddhism are calling on their disciples to uphold the monastic rules.
To rectify the temple and clean house.

Baima Temple has a long history; it is the foremost Buddhist temple in Central China and is known as the ancestral temple.

Surely White Horse Temple can't fall behind in this matter?

"A person who has left home should purify his or her six senses and devote himself to the Buddha."

If one is concerned with things beyond oneself, that is impurity and disrespectful to the Buddha.

Li Yi reiterated his previous statement.

He deeply respected Baima Temple as the ancestral temple of Han Buddhism, and he also held the Venerable Huiyin in the same high esteem.

But now that Buddhism is cleaning its own house, the White Horse Temple cannot be left behind.

"Two hundred monks, three hundred novices, and ten thousand acres of monastic land."

I'll keep extra rations, five thousand shi of millet.

"The remaining land in the temple will be taken over by the imperial court and distributed to landless commoners to benefit the masses. This also demonstrates the compassion of the Buddha."

"The money and grain stored in the temple will be collected into the imperial treasury. One-third of it will be used for the maintenance of temples and Buddha statues throughout the land, and the rest will be used to relieve the poor and needy, which is also a way to do good deeds and accumulate merit..."

"I will recommend the virtuous Huiyin to the Sage as the abbot of Baima Temple!"

This is not a negotiation.
This is a notification.

There is no room for bargaining.

The Venerable Master Huiyin slid his prayer beads with his right hand, remaining completely calm.

The abbot, Huida, and the chant master, Huishi, were both...

One of them turned pale with anxiety, while the other's face turned bright red.

"Everyone,"

Li Yi spoke up, interrupting Hui Da who was about to say something, "Back then, Zen Master Xinxing founded the Three Stages Sect. Although its doctrines were not recognized by other sects, and everyone said that the Three Stages Sect was heresy..."
While he was alive, he still maintained a high level of discipline and integrity.
However, after his death, his disciples and followers all became decadent and dissolute, no longer adhering to the precepts. They married wives and concubines, had children, ate meat and drank alcohol, frequented cities and neighborhoods, and associated with powerful and influential people.
Busy with acquiring land, lending money and collecting rent,
But what was the result?

"The White Horse Temple wouldn't want to end up like the Three-Tier Sect, would it?"

Huiyin finally spoke.

"Everything is just as Situ said!"

(End of this chapter)