1. When you are ordained and become a monk, the ordinator will give you two names: Dharma name and font size. According to the traditional rules of inner names and nicknames, the Dharma name is also used as a Dharma taboo and a precept name. It cannot be called by just anyone. Only the monk's master or elders can call it. Outsiders and modesty can only call it "Zhao".
2. The format for using four characters of the name of the Dharma is: the font size comes first, the name of the Dharma comes last. In addition, the last character of the Buddhist name is often used as the monk's posthumous title. A monk's formal self-titled name should be Shi Moumou, and should be called by the word line (the name is mainly used for external address). The monks receive the Dharma, and the monk who spreads the Dharma will also give the name of the sect. In addition, you can choose your own alias and Zhaihao, and use it as a seal for calligraphy, painting, and online name.
Every master has different ideas and rules
The Dharma names of monks have two inheritances: "Dharma Sect" and "Shun Sect". The current Dharma sects are mostly inherited by Zen and Tiantai sects, and each generation has a special word to represent seniority. For example, the Gushan Dharma system of Caodong Sect, where I received Dharma, belongs to the 49th generation of "Teng". The previous generation, Elder Jinghui, is the 48th generation of "Fu", and the next one is the 46th generation of Master Xuyun. Generation "ancient" generation. "Reviving the past and reviving the present" is the inheritance lineage of the Dharma sect.
There are also inheritance based on ordination sects, such as the "Zong" of "Zong Shun", which is the Tiantai sect passed down by Master Qingding of Sichuan, "Zhi Zong Qingzu", my ordination mentor Master Zhimin It is the generation with the character "Zhi", I am the generation with the character "Zong", my apprentice is the generation with the character "Qing", and my disciples and grandchildren are the generation with the character "ancestor".
However, the situation is different when naming lay people. Generally, the name is based on a certain character from the Dharma sect or the Sha sect inheritance, plus a certain character from the common name, to facilitate memory and reduce workload. There are also great masters who use Dharma names to encourage, place expectations on, and give blessings to their disciples. They no longer use the word system, but give different names to each one, or call them all by the same name, etc. This is all possible. During the Republic of China, Master Yin Guang did not name people according to the calligraphy school, but based on the encouragement of his elders.