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The medieval Chinese system did not allow anyone and everyone who felt so inclined to enter and dwell in Buddhist monasteries. That was a privilege granted only to learned scholars, who were first examined and certificated to show their competence. Such eager seekers after knowledge could be trusted to use solitude and quietude for their proper purposes of study and meditation, whereas others were likely to use them for improper purposes, for indolence and parasitism. When the system lapsed, the general deterioration of the monks proved the need of such precautionary measures.

-- Notebooks Category 3: Relax and Retreat > Chapter 4 : Retreat Centres > # 61