Monastic Order

● Abbot

Abbot, the head of the monastery, is in charge of all affairs inside and outside the monastery, and is also considered as the spiritual leader of his monks. The present abbot of Shaolin Temple is Dharma master Shi Yongxin.

● The Four Elders

West hall elder is subordinate to the chief elder and is traditionally assigned by very respectable monks of the monastery. The duty of west hall elder is to lead the temple monks as the teacher of doctrine, and promote Buddhist creeds and disciplines.

Rear Hall Elder(Hou tang)
Rear hall elder is appointed in the temple to assist the west hall elder and teach Buddhist doctrines. The real hall seldom sees to temple routines, except temporary assignments entrusted by abbot.

Hall Elder(Tang zhu)
Hall elder is the head of Chan Hall. The hall elder plays an important role in the temple and carries out the duties of preaching and instructing all temple monks.

● The Eight Monastic Offices

Under the leadership of the abbot and four elders, there are eight monastic offices of different functions. They are the monastic supervisor(Jian yuan), receptionist(Zhi ke), invigilator (Wei nuo), chief steward(Dian zuo), charge of wandering monks’ shelter (Liao yuan), clerical staff (Yi bo), secretariat (Shu ji) and picket (Seng zhi). These monastic offices and their roles widely vary according to different cultural background of monasteries.

Receptionist (Zhi ke)

Receptionist is responsible for handling internal and external affairs, and receiving visitors. There are also two associate receptionists working under the direction of him.

Picket (Seng zhi)

Picket works in shifts and acts for the abbot, responsible for maintaining the monastic order and discipline. Everyday picket should take the lead in reciting sutras and supervising the sangha daily performance in place of the abbot.

Invigilator (Wei Nuo)

Invigilator is the charge of Chan Hall and referred to as Wei nuo in Chinese; Wei means governance of the monastic in Chinese and nuo represents the Sanskrit Karmadana, literally meaning to give actions. The word formed and conveyed is of one who gives multifarious actions to others. Specifically the invigilator shall lead the chanting of religious rituals, oversee the sangha performances and hold the responsibility to punish monks who violate rules regardless of rank.

Chief Steward (Dian zuo)

Chief steward is in charge of the food supply to the temple and dining arrangements.

Charge of Wandering Monks' Shelter or Yunshui Hall (Liao yuan)
Charge of wandering monks' shelter or Yunshui Hall is responsible for receiving Yunshui monks (referring to wandering monk as a bird of passage) and preparing temporary lodging under the arrangement of reception hall.

Clerical Staff (Yi bo)
Clerical staff serves as the secretary to the abbot. Duties include dealing with correspondence, drafting and making arrangements etc. He could also receive visitors on behalf of the abbot.

Secretariat(Shu ji)
Secretariat is responsible for sending and receiving mails for the temple, drafting documents and copying Buddhist sutras etc.

Monastic Supervisor (Jian yuan)

In management of temple routines, the monastic supervisor holds the highest rank after the abbot. In addition, he is not only the head of storehouse directing the department of storehouse, but also is supervising other departments' work. Except some senior masters, other monastics shall consult him for instructions, while the monastic supervisor himself shall go to the abbot. Some monasteries may have one vice monastic supervisor.

Monastic Order

● Abbot

● The Four Elders

● The Eight Monastic Offices

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