Master Zongshun: Detailed explanation of the name of the Buddhist Dharma (also called the name of the Dharma)
Question: How did the name of the Dharma come from?
Master Zongshun: Every master has different ideas and rules. The Dharma names of monks have two inheritances: "Dharma Sect" and "Shu Sect". Currently, most of the Dharma sects are Zen and Tiantai sects, and each generation has a special word to represent seniority. For example, the Gushan Dharma system of the Caodong Sect, where I received Dharma, was passed down to me as the 49th generation with the character "Teng". The previous generation, Elder Jinghui, was the 48th generation with the character "Fu", and the one above me was the elder monk Xuyun. Forty-six generations of "ancient" characters. "Reviving the past and reviving the present" is the inheritance lineage of the Dharma sect. There are also inheritances based on ordination sects, such as the "Zong" of "Zong Shun", which is the Tiantai sect passed down by Master Qingding of Sichuan, and "Zhi Zong Qingzu". My ordination mentor, Master Zhimin, is of the generation with the character "Zhi". I am from the generation of "Zong", my disciples are from the generation of "Qing", and my disciples and grandchildren are from the generation of "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.
Question: Doesn’t the Dharma name also represent seniority? I converted to Buddhism early, and those who later joined the school were all my junior brothers and nephews.
Master Zongshun: There is a difference between monks and lay people. Nowadays, many lay people like to call monks, masters, brothers, brothers, or even nephews, which is against the rules. Lay people should call them Master, even if they are novices who have just become monks. This is to respect the Three Jewels.
Question: I usually call my monk master so-and-so master. Is this okay?
Master Zongshun: Strictly speaking, this is not allowed. Monks generally have a Dharma name, such as Zong Shun, which is a Dharma name. Strictly speaking, this name can only be called by senior teachers, and they can call them by their first names. When addressing peers, the word "master" is added at the end. Those of the lower generation should be respectfully called so-and-so Master or so-and-so Master. This is the minimum. The safest way for laypeople to call monks is so-and-so master or so-and-so Dharma master, because even new monks who have received novice ordination or novice ordination are teachers who promote the Dharma and benefit living beings.
Question: Is there a difference between a Dharma name and a Dharma title?
Master Zongshun: The name of the Dharma is also called the name of the Dharma, the taboo of the Dharma, and the name of the precepts. As explained before, it is the name given by the teacher when you become a monk or take the ordination. In addition, corresponding to the name of the Dharma, there is also a table word, that is, another name taken in addition to the original name that is related to the meaning of the original name. For example, Zhuge Liang was named Kongming, and Yue Fei was named Pengju. This is of course not an Indian custom, but an ancient Chinese ritual. "Book of Rites Tan Gong Shang": "Young name, title, fifty-year-old brother, posthumous title, Zhou Daoye." Kong Yingda Shu: "When a person is twenty, he has the way to be a father. Friends and the like should not call him again. Kong Yingda explained that a man is given a name when he is young, and the name is added when he is 20 years old. Friends cannot call him by his first name, but should call him by his cousin. My Buddhist name is "Zong Shun", and the nickname given by Master is "Hua Mo". That is to say, the character "Hua" is used to describe the generation of Zong, and the character "Yi" is used to describe the generation of our next generation Qing. Just because everyone was familiar with Zong Shun, he called him that casually. If there are other newly ordained masters, it would be better to tell everyone their nickname as a title. As for lay people, there is no need to take the first name.
There are also nicknames, which are titles other than names and characters, usually chosen by oneself. "The Biography of Mr. Wuliu" by Tao Qian of the Jin Dynasty: "There is a Wuliu tree beside the house, because it is named Yan." Therefore, Tao Yuanming also called Mr. Wuliu. Another example is the famous Master Lianchi in the Ming Dynasty. His common surname was Shen and he was from Hangzhou. His Buddhist name was Zhu Hong, whose courtesy name was Fohui and his nickname was Lianchi. The name "Lotus Pond" expresses his yearning for the Western Pure Land and his confidence in the method of chanting Buddha's name. Ordinary people also call him by his nickname to show respect. My "Endless Lamp Tower" is also another nickname. Lay people can choose nicknames for themselves.
I saw some old lay people asking the monk master whom they met for the first time, "How do you call the master?" What does "shangxia" mean?
Master Zongshun: In fact, this sentence means to ask how you call your name. "Chinese Dictionary" explains "Shang Xia" and says: In the old days, asking for the name of the elder was also called "Shang Xia". Just like the previous word, the next word. Scene 9 of Tian Han's Peking Opera "The Legend of White Snake": "Xu: 'Excuse me, Master, sir?' Both words and phrases are used to express respect. If there is an honorific title at the end, for example, the title of "Great Monk" is itself an honorific title, it is good to add it, but it is also okay not to add it, so as not to make it look too wordy if you say too much.