Article 1 These Measures are formulated in accordance with the Regulations on Religious Affairs, the Charter of the China Taoist Association, and other relevant provisions, in order to strengthen the building of the Taoist ecclesiastical system and to improve the management of Taoist temples and monasteries.
Article 2 “Abbot” (fangzhang) and “presiding master” (zhuchi), as used in these Measures, are the titles of the highest clerical office among the officers of a Taoist temple: the Quanzhen (Complete Perfection) school uses the title abbot, and the Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) school uses the title presiding master.
Article 3 An abbot or presiding master must meet the following conditions:
(1) Loves the country and loves the faith, and observes discipline and abides by the law;
(2) Is of upright character and strict in keeping the precepts, handles matters fairly, and has a certain ability to organize and lead;
(3) Is familiar with the Taoist scriptures and has a high level of Taoist cultivation;
(4) Has left the household or entered the Tao for fifteen years or more;
(5) An abbot must have fully received the Great Precepts of the Three Altars—the Precepts of Initial Perfection, the Precepts of the Central Ultimate, and the Precepts of the Celestial Immortal; a presiding master must have undergone the conferral of registers, received a ritual office, and had his Taoist rank attested by covenant.
Article 4 The principal duties of an abbot or presiding master are:
(1) To organize religious affairs and preside over the affairs of the temple;
(2) To promote the Taoist teachings, purify Taoist conduct, and guide Taoists in improving their own quality;
(3) To implement the rules and regulations of the temple, strengthen its management, and ensure the temple’s self-support;
(4) To be responsible for protecting the temple’s cultural relics, buildings, and facilities, and maintaining the environment around the temple;
(5) To safeguard the lawful rights and interests of the resident community and the temple according to law;
(6) To guide the temple in actively engaging in public welfare and charitable undertakings, and to carry forward the fine traditions and excellent culture of Taoism.
Article 5 In inviting an abbot or presiding master, a temple shall adhere to the principles of democratic consultation and selecting the worthy and appointing the able, and shall follow this procedure:
(1) The temple’s management committee proposes a candidate and submits the candidate to the resident community for democratic evaluation;
(2) If the candidate is approved by more than half in the democratic evaluation by the resident community, the temple management committee reports to the local Taoist association;
(3) After review and approval by the local Taoist association, a public notice is posted at the temple for 15 days;
(4) If no major problems are found by the end of the notice period, the local Taoist association obtains the consent of the Taoist association of the province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the central government (or, where no Taoist association has been established in that province, autonomous region, or municipality, the consent of the China Taoist Association), after which the temple files the appointment with the religious affairs department of the people’s government.
Article 6 The enthronement ceremony may be held only after the filing procedure has been completed.
Article 7 An abbot or presiding master may, through democratic election, serve as director of the management committee of his temple.
Article 8 The term of office of an abbot or presiding master is three years, and he may be re-elected for successive terms.
Article 9 An abbot or presiding master may not generally serve concurrently as abbot or presiding master of another temple.
Article 10 An abbot or presiding master who is unable to perform his duties because of old age, frailty, or other reasons may retire early.
Article 11 When an abbot or presiding master leaves office, the filing shall be cancelled with the religious affairs department of the people’s government after review by the local Taoist association and after seeking the opinion of the Taoist association of the province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the central government.
Article 12 After an abbot or presiding master leaves office in the normal way or retires early, suitable arrangements shall be made for him by his temple or the local Taoist association.
Article 13 An abbot or presiding master is subject to the supervision of the temple management committee, the resident community, the local Taoist association, and local believers. Where an abbot or presiding master commits any of the following acts, the local Taoist association shall impose the penalty of admonition or suspension from office:
(1) Violating the Taoist rules and precepts;
(2) Acting arbitrarily, forming cliques, or undermining the unity of the resident community;
(3) Violating the financial management system, or embezzling or wantonly squandering temple property;
(4) Failing to perform his duties in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Regulations on Religious Affairs;
(5) Spreading among believers remarks detrimental to social harmony and stability;
(6) Violating other national laws, regulations, rules, and policies.
Where the circumstances of any of the above acts are serious, the penalty of removal from office shall be imposed. The penalty decision shall be proposed by the local Taoist association and, after the consent of the Taoist association of the province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the central government has been obtained (or, where no Taoist association has been established in that province, autonomous region, or municipality, the consent of the China Taoist Association), the temple management committee shall preside over its submission to the resident community for democratic evaluation; if it is approved by more than half, it shall be reported to the religious affairs department of the people’s government with which the appointment was originally filed, to cancel the filing.
Article 14 The China Taoist Association is responsible for interpreting these Measures.
Article 15 These Measures shall take effect from the date of promulgation.
The Trial Measures for the Appointment and Departure of Abbots and Presiding Masters of Taoist Temples, as revised by the Seventh National Congress of the China Taoist Association on June 24, 2005, are repealed at the same time.
(Adopted at the Second Session of the Seventh Council of the China Taoist Association on September 20, 2007, and promulgated on March 4, 2008)