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四種僧

Pronunciations

Basic Meaning: four types of monks

Senses:

  • The classification of monks into four types. Alternatively referred to as 四種比丘 and 四種沙門. There are multiple versions of these four categories. According to the Dazhidu lun 大智度論, the four categories are: (1) a monk who has shame and maintains the precepts 有羞僧, (2) a monk who does not have shame and does not keep the precepts 無羞僧, (3) a monk who is as ignorant as a sheep 啞羊僧, and (4) a true monk who has completed his training 眞實僧. 〔大智度論T 1509.25.80a15〕 . In the Dasheng daji dizang shilun jing 大乘大集地藏十輪經 and Dasheng fayuan yilin zhang 大乘法苑義林章, the four types of monks are described as: (1) a monk who attains the unhindered virtue of a buddha, bodhisattva, pratyekabuddha, or śrāvaka 勝義僧 (also rendered as 第一義僧), (2) a monk who renounces the secular world and maintains the precepts 世俗僧, (3) a monk who is as ignorant as a sheep 啞羊僧, and (4) a monk who is shameless and does not maintain the precepts 無慚愧僧. 〔大乘大集地藏十輪經 T 411.13.749c5〕 . According to the Dasheng bensheng xindi guan jing 大乘本生心地觀經, the four types are: (1) bodhisattva monks 菩薩僧, (2) śrāvaka monks 聲聞僧, (3) worldling monks 凡夫僧, and (4) specific types of worldly monks 一類凡夫僧. 〔大乘本生心地觀經 T 159.3.306a11〕 [Matthew McMullen; source(s): Yokoi, FGD]
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    [Dictionary References]

    Nanshan Vinaya Dictionary {digital version}

    Bukkyō jiten (Ui) 404

    Bulgyo sajeon 383a

    Zengaku daijiten (Komazawa U.) 433b

    Japanese-English Zen Buddhist Dictionary (Yokoi) 669

    Fo Guang Dictionary 1817

    Ding Fubao {Digital Version}

    Bukkyō daijiten (Mochizuki) (v.1-6)2182a,3018b

    Bukkyō daijiten (Oda) 712-2*1071-1



    Entry created: 2017-10-17