The Relationship between the Tang Period shangzuo上座 and the Song Period zhanglao長老

Abstract

Based on a study of the Song period Shishi yaolan 釈氏要覧 （1019）, this paper shows that there is a close relationship between the shangzuo 上座 of the Tang dynasty and the zhanglao 長老 of the Song dynasty in temple management systems. Specifically, we focus on the managers of Chan and Vinaya temples described in the Shishi yaolan, and make the following two points. First, the Vinaya temples of the Song dynasty adopted the shangzuo as temple manager following the precedent of the Tang system. Second, the newly established zhanglao in Chan temples of the Song and shangzuo of the Tang are the same term.