The monks are listed among the Three Jewels, the object of refuge in the household, and the special blessing field.
As a layman, I don't know how to correctly call my family, and I am often laughed at, lost the courtesy of my disciples, and folded my own blessings. Here's a little bit of general knowledge about this.
Let's take a look at the names we often make wrong about monks.
Directly call "so-and-so division"
We often find that some lay Buddhists simply add the word "teacher" after the monastic name, such as "so-and-so master."
The method of adding the word "shi" directly after the name of the Dharma is generally used to address the elders of the monks to the younger generations, or between the daoist friends of the same generation; therefore, it should not be used as the title of the monks in the household.
Called "Master"
"Master" actually appeared as early as the Warring States period, and was used to call teachers from the beginning. After the Qin and Han Dynasties, the master evolved from a teacher engaged in teaching work to a teacher who specifically referred to the emperor.
From the Western Han Dynasty to the Southern Song Dynasty, the meaning of "master" was almost the master of the emperor, and this particular reference was exclusive, with few exceptions. From the Southern Song Dynasty onwards, the meaning of "master" gradually moved downwards, and the teachers of the common people could also receive this title.
After the middle and late Qing Dynasty, the folk often called people with higher craftsmanship and seniority in a certain industry "master", such as "Master Wang who repairs cars" and "master wu who makes baked cakes", but it is absolutely inappropriate for monks to use this title.
Image source: Phoenix Buddhism
The correct name for monks is as follows:
Master
"Master" is different from the general "Master", although it appears late. The title "Master" first began in the Tang Dynasty, referring to both teachers engaged in teaching work and teachers specifically to emperors.
After the Tang Dynasty, "master" began to be used to refer to people with special skills.
During the Yuan Dynasty, "master" was often used as an honorific title for monks. It can be said that "Master" is the safest title for monks.
Regardless of the age of the man or woman, the level of virtue, as long as they are monks, or even Shami, who has just lost his hair and shaved his hair, and who is now a pure monk, he deserves to be respected by the lay disciples who are disciples of the Three Jewels, and can be called "master".
The word "master" is exactly the opposite of the title "disciple", which means to be like a master and like a father, to teach me the Dharma like a teacher, to give birth to my wisdom and life like a father, which is the most kind moral title for monks in the household, and it is very honorable.
Mage
Refers to a monk who is proficient in the Dharma, is a teacher according to law, and guides others in their practice. The standard is high.
Nowadays, monks who are well-informed, have received great vows, have the duty of rules, and understand some of the teachings of the Dharma are also revered as masters.
For the elders of a temple, the great monks of great virtue, in order to show respect, often omit the Dharma name and directly call themselves "Master" and "Master"; for ordinary monks, for the sake of easy distinction, they can add the Dharma name, called "So-and-so Master" and "So-and-So Master".
The following two titles are not suitable for householders to use to refer to monks.
Called "Master Brother" or "Master So-and-So"
Only monks and monks can call each other brothers and masters.
Some lay disciples call the monks of their converted teachers as brothers and sisters, and even feel that they have taken refuge early and call later monks disciples, which is not correct.
A monastic disciple who calls a refuge master is also called a "master" or a "master," because we are taking refuge in the Three Jewels, not just one master.
Even if a lay scholar is old and virtuous, and if he has been practicing for a long time, he is still a disciple of the Three Jewels, respecting the Three Jewels and the Buddha-rectification system.
If you do not follow the Buddhist system, you are not only a slow monk, but also a slow Buddha and a slow Dharma, and as a disciple of the Three Jewels, you should avoid it.
In this regard, the late Zhao Puchu, president of the Buddhist Association of China, can be said to be a model of respect for the Three Jewels in the household.
Directly call the legal name "so-and-so"
In the household, the monks directly call the names of the monks, which is very disrespectful.
For example, out of respect for the knowledge imparted by teachers, even if you are not personally taught under him, you do not call him by his first name, but call him "Teacher Wang", "Teacher Li", etc., not to mention that as a disciple of the Three Jewels, you should have more respect for the monks who teach the Dharma.
Whether or not a monk respects the monk reflects his own virtues and qualities, and the monk does not gain or lose anything because of it.
Source: Soul Touch
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