VBS 615
【白話】凡是出家人居住在廟裡，內外各處都應勤加打掃，保持整潔清淨，不可任由雜物散亂堆放。晨昏的鐘聲與鼓聲，應當準時分明，不可遲誤紊亂。廟前的小路要時常開闢整理，不可任其荒草叢生、冷落不修。
The living quarters of monastics should be regularly swept and cleaned, kept neat and orderly, and never allowed to become cluttered or dirty. Each morning and evening, the monastery’s daily schedule—such as the ringing of bells and beating of drums—should be observed punctually and without fail. The paths leading to the monastery or nunnery should be properly maintained and kept clear, not left overgrown or neglected.
每日兩時的飲食，務必清淨潔淨，不可粗穢雜亂。佛殿與經堂應常常拂拭打掃，保持清潔明淨；除了法器與香燈之外，不可隨意放置其他雜物。供養佛前的花果、淨水與飯食，不得先以鼻嗅聞，以示恭敬。
Food prepared for the two daily meals must be handled with care and kept clean. The Buddha Hall and lecture hall should be regularly cleaned and kept in proper order. Apart from incense, censers, lamps, and Dharma instruments, no miscellaneous items should be placed there. Offerings such as flowers, fruit, pure water, and food should not be smelled beforehand, as they are intended for the Buddha.
在不應敲擊的時候，不可隨意鳴鐘擊鼓或敲犍槌。佛龕與佛燈應以玻璃遮護，以免塵垢與蟲蛾侵擾，並要時時擦拭，使人一見便心生清淨。佛像的金身，應當常保如新塑一般光潔莊嚴，不可任其蒙塵污穢，令人不忍觀視。
Dharma instruments—bells, drums, and wooden boards—should not be struck casually, but only at the appropriate times. The Buddha shrine and its lamps should be protected with glass coverings to prevent dust, dirt, and insects from accumulating, and should be wiped clean regularly. Gilded Buddha images should be maintained in a condition as fresh and dignified as if newly made, never allowed to become tarnished or soiled.
在一些常見而流於世俗的小廟裡，可以看到這樣的情形：僧人對自己的外表打理得整整齊齊、十分講究，卻任由佛像斑駁破損、難以入目。佛殿裡灰塵積得厚厚一層，處處堆放著所謂的「功德」掛像與雜物，凌亂不堪，讓人看了心生不安。這樣的景象，其實是披著袈裟卻失去了修行本心的人所做出的行為。真誠希望後來的修行者都能以此為戒，自我警惕，時時勉勵，讓內外都回歸清淨與恭敬。
Yet it is often seen in small monasteries that some monastics take great care with their own appearance while neglecting the Buddha images, allowing them to become stained, faded, or damaged—an unsightly and regrettable sight. In some Buddha Halls, dust accumulates in thick layers. Images of the Buddha, often hung as acts of devotion, are placed haphazardly throughout the space, resulting in an environment that is disorderly and unpleasant. Such behavior reflects a loss of reverence and integrity beneath the monastic robe, and leads one away from the true spirit of cultivation. Therefore, I sincerely urge future practitioners to remain mindful, to be diligent, and to avoid these faults.
在清晨與傍晚，應當持之以恆地誦念經咒，不可時斷時續。佛前的香火與燈光要常保明亮清淨，不可中斷。接待來訪的賓客，應當有禮有節，不可傲慢，也不可虛情逢迎。教導弟子要掌握時機與方法，不可動輒責罵。庵中不可飼養雞、鴨、豬、貓等動物，也不可存放刀槍、火器或各種捕獵工具，以免傷害生命、違背慈悲之心。不可讓異性寄住於廟中。不可到處向人募化，也不可把替人做法事當成經常的職業；若遇真正虔誠的信眾，在萬不得已的情況下才可前往，其餘情形應以對方自行來庵為主，且也不可習以為常。
Morning and evening ceremonies should be conducted daily in the Buddha Hall without interruption. Lamps and incense should be tended regularly. When receiving guests, one should be courteous and respectful, neither arrogant nor overly flattering. When instructing trainees or disciples, one should do so at the appropriate time, without scolding or venting anger. One should not raise animals such as chickens, ducks, pigs, or cats, nor keep weapons such as knives, firearms, hooks, or nets used to harm or kill living beings, as these are contrary to the cultivation of compassion. Monastics should not enter or remain in the living quarters of the opposite sex; monks should not stay in nunneries, and nuns should not stay in monks’ quarters. One should not actively solicit donations. Funeral or memorial recitations should not be performed as a routine service; only in exceptional cases, for sincere and devoted Buddhists, may one agree to do so—and even then, only when the request is brought to the monastery. Such activities should never become a means of livelihood.
凡是雇用工匠，事先要說明在施工期間需吃素、戒殺、念佛，不得飲酒食肉，也不可唱歌嬉鬧或粗言笑罵。應當適當多給工資，以補償這些要求。庵外不宜種植桃李等果樹，以免引來是非與口舌。
When hiring outside workers, it should be clearly stated in advance that only vegetarian food is permitted on the premises. Workers should be encouraged to recite the Buddha’s name and refrain from eating meat, drinking alcohol, or harming living beings. They should also avoid singing, dancing, joking excessively, or speaking harshly. To support these expectations, higher wages may be offered as appropriate. Fruit trees such as peach or plum should not be planted outside the monastery, so as to avoid attracting disputes or unnecessary attention.
不可食用或種植五辛，也不可用不正當的方式維生。《梵網經》中說：如果有人出於貪利與惡心，從事不正當的交易或行業，甚至製作毒物、施行邪術、預測吉凶、解夢占卜，或做各種傷害眾生的事，這樣的人已經失去慈悲與孝順之心，即使是輕罪，也是不應犯的過失。
One should neither consume nor cultivate the five pungent plants, and one must avoid wrong livelihood. As stated in the Brahma Net Sutra:
“A disciple of the Buddha must not, for personal gain or out of ill intent, engage in immoral trades. This includes involvement in prostitution, or making a living by preparing or processing food such as milling or pounding grain. One must not practice fortune-telling, interpret dreams, predict the sex of unborn children, or engage in sorcery. Nor should one manufacture harmful substances, train animals for hunting, or prepare poisons of any kind, including snake venom or toxic compounds derived from metals or insects. Such occupations lack compassion and filial respect. If one deliberately engages in these livelihoods, one commits a minor but defiling offense.”
廟中除了警醒人心的語句或對聯之外，不應過多懸掛書畫。各種莊嚴供具應安置在佛殿或經堂，但也不可過分華麗。既然稱為「廟」，就應以清淨與樸素為根本。同時，也不可大量積存錢財、糧食、衣物或貴重物品，以免引起他人覬覦；若有多餘，應在荒年或困難時施予貧苦之人。不可經常放貸錢糧，博取「富廟」的名聲；也不可用金錢或酒食去結交地方權勢或無賴之人。不可與讀書人互相唱和詩文，也不要因與鄰近貧困之人來往而引發嫌隙與是非。若遇饑荒、嚴冬或喪事等情況，應隨自身能力給予幫助與救濟。
Apart from a few exhortative couplets, there should not be an overabundance of couplets, paintings, calligraphy, or decorative artwork displayed throughout the monastery. Items used for adornment should be placed appropriately in the Buddha Hall or lecture halls as offerings. Care should be taken not to make these spaces overly grand or ornate; above all, a monastery or nunnery should embody purity and simplicity. One should not hoard grain, money, clothing, or valuables, so as not to arouse others’ greed. Any surplus should be shared with those in need, especially during times of hardship. Lending money as a business should be avoided, as it risks giving the monastery a reputation for wealth and worldliness. Nor should one use money, alcohol, or non-vegetarian food to cultivate favor with local elites or unsavory figures. Monastics should not engage in social exchanges with literati through poetry or couplets, nor become entangled in disputes with neighbors or the poor. In times of famine, harsh winters, or bereavement, one should offer help according to one’s means.
不可與俗家之人結拜為親，如父母、兄弟姐妹等關係。彼此之間也不應互送禮盒，與俗家往來應當節制，與其他廟之間亦是如此，除非是供養長者。不可向俗家贈送花果，也不可參與世俗的慶賀活動；唯有弔喪可以例外，而且廟中本身也不應經常舉辦慶典活動。
A practitioner should not form worldly kinship ties, such as becoming a godparent or entering sworn sibling relationships. Gifts should not be exchanged with laypeople or with monastics from other monasteries, except when making offerings to respected elders. One should not give flowers or fruit to laypeople, nor send congratulatory gifts or attend secular celebrations; funerals are the only exception. Within the monastery itself, occasions for celebration should be kept to a minimum.
在佛菩薩聖誕的日子，應當召集大眾，宣講佛法，並贈送佛書，讓更多人得以聞法受益。不應隨意收養年幼的徒眾或依附者。若非重大且必要的事情，不可托人向權貴之家募化，也不應請人誦經、做懺法當作常態。廟中也不可停辦學習或教學活動。對於來往的人，要有所取捨，不可留宿閒散或品行不端之人，唯有需要療養的病者可以暫住，但也應常為他們講說佛法因緣，使其身心同得利益。廟中不應從事琴棋娛樂或歌唱等消遣活動。
On the anniversaries of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, Dharma talks and sutra lectures should be offered to the assembly, and Buddhist texts may be distributed. One should not accept young children as disciples. Except in truly important circumstances, one should not seek connections with the wealthy or influential for the sake of donations or ritual services. Idlers and those of unwholesome conduct should not be allowed to stay within the monastery grounds, though exceptions may be made for the sick, who should be cared for and taught the Dharma as conditions allow. Those permitted to stay must refrain from worldly forms of entertainment, such as singing, dancing, or playing musical instruments.
平日不可談論政治、戰爭、訴訟、民間是非，或各種世俗紛爭。若無特別事務，應召集弟子、同修與工人，一同討論佛法與因果道理，使正見不斷增長。不可代人保管異性的衣物。也不可放火焚燒山林等地方。《梵網經》曾指出：若出於惡心，在山林曠野縱火，或焚燒他人房屋、城鎮、寺院、田地樹木，乃至一切生命與公共之物，皆是不應為之；若故意為之，便是犯下過失。以上這些規範，雖然是以出家人為對象而說，但將來若有在廟中修行的在家居士，也應依此原則來實行，使身心與環境都能趨向清淨與正道。
One should refrain from discussing politics, military affairs, legal disputes, civil conflicts, or any other worldly concerns. Instead, one should regularly gather disciples, fellow practitioners, and workers in the monastery to discuss the Buddhadharma, especially the principle of cause and effect. Monastics of one gender should not keep or store the clothing or personal belongings of those of the opposite gender. One must also not set fires to clear mountain forests.
As stated in the Brahma Net Sutra:
“A disciple of the Buddha must not, out of unwholesome intent, set fires to burn forests or wilderness, particularly during the fourth through ninth months of the lunar calendar. He must not burn the homes of others, cities, monastic dwellings, fields, or trees, nor any property belonging to spirits or the state. He must not intentionally set fire to any place where living beings reside. If one deliberately commits such an act, one violates a minor precept and incurs a defiling offense.”
Although the above guidelines are directed primarily toward monastics, they also apply to lay practitioners who reside in a monastery.♦