There were stipulated in detail in the Vinaya text. Many stipulations have been preserved intact by Buddhist communities in the southern countries, while in the northern countries, owing to climatic, conventional and other differences as well as historical transitions, the monastic life has undergone a lot of changes. Details are not easy to list here. If you have specific questions, we can talk about them briefly. (From Essentials of Buddhism: Questions and Answers)
The original meaning of “Conglin” is grove or forest. A thickly populated monastery is just like a forest with plenty of trees, so it is called “conglin”, meaning great monastery (Mahavihara). “Qinggui” means the rules or regulations daily observed by the monks or nuns in monasteries, which are laid down according to the Vinaya enacted by the Buddha and adapted to prevailing conditions, including climate, geography, social customs, laws and regulations of the state, as well as sectarian characteristics, etc. the earliest monastery rules in China were initiated by Dao’an of the Eastern Jin Dynasty in the 4th century.
A recitation assembly (Uposatha Kamma) is held every half-month. The monks assemble to recite the text of precepts (Patimokkha), and to examine, according to Vinaya, everyone’s conducts in the past fortnight. The procedure is through confession and exposure by others. At the end of the annual rainy season retreat, a ceremony known as Pavarana is held. Pavarana means satisfaction with self-criticism and others’ exposure. By this means, each expresses repentance for his own faults. It is, in fact, also a meeting for reviewing the monastic life. as to consultation on other matters, meetings are called whenever necessary. (From Essentials of Buddhism: Questions and Answers)
The understanding of acupoints for Chan medicine has distinct academic versions. Chan medicine stresses: deep multiple abscess of acupoints change with space-time and everything’s changes on the premise of life, for which there are quality change and liquidity of locations. Chan medicine says “location accurate” means the location of the efficacy is accurate, rather than accurate graphics, coordinates and size. Chan medicine stresses “conformity of pneuma, mind and spirit” and “alternate softness and hardness”, requiring doctors to have “universal compassion” and “learning from a painful experience” and build a Bodhisattva’s realm of connecting to the heart and understanding each other with patients deeply. Understanding patients spoken of here is not simple medical ethics but ineffable medical skills. Massage therapy in Chan medicine is not simple to exercise the muscles, and the bones and tendons but stresses the transmission of the state and energy information. The use of acupoints methods like one finger Chan, two fingers pointing up as well as palm Chan, boxing Chan and so on, brings back life to a patient. (From Shaolin Encyclopedia)
Harmony between man and nature is the basic idea Buddhism has always advocated and strictly practiced. Buddhism says “a clean heart makes land pure”, paying attention to the evolution of the mind, sweeping away greediness, hatred and ignorance, which makes the mind gain release and extrication, removes the state of possessiveness and achieves selfless state. This requires universal sympathy promoted to other races, species, ancestors and descendants’ happiness, to ensure the ecosphere’s vitality and permanent existence of society. “Pure land” means maintaining the integrity and fine operating state of ecosystems for the establishment and maintenance of a effective working society. The most practical action of the pure land is to cherish good fortune and affinity, learn to reduce demand and make the society last forever, aiming to get peaceful and comfortable. (From Words of Chan by Shi Yongxin)
If a person do not possesses daily practice according to a certain scripture, no correct faith, correct vow and correct practices, it is difficult for him to enter into the particular monkish sorts of frame of mind when investigating a topic. It is said that there have been many people becoming nervous after investigating a topic, which is because that he or she has not enough virtuous roots, no daily practice cleaving to a certain scripture. (From Words of Chan by Shi Yongxin)
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