The ''Regula Magistri'' or Rule of the Master is an anonymous sixth-century collection of

monastic Monasticism (from Ancient Greek , , from , , 'alone'), also referred to as monachism, or monkhood, is a religion, religious way of life in which one renounces world (theology), worldly pursuits to devote oneself fully to spiritual work. Monastic ...

precepts. The text of the ''Rule of the Master'' is found in the ''Concordia Regularum'' of

Benedict of Aniane Benedict of Aniane ( la, Benedictus Anianensis; german: Benedikt von Aniane; 747 – 12 February 821 AD), born Witiza and called the Second Benedict, was a Benedictine monk and monastic reformer, who left a large imprint on the religious prac ...

, who gave it its name.

History

The ''Rule of the Master'' was written two or three decades before Benedict of Nursia's the Rule of Saint Benedict. Unlike the Rules of

Pachomius Pachomius (; el, Παχώμιος ''Pakhomios''; ; c. 292 – 9 May 348 AD), also known as Saint Pachomius the Great, is generally recognized as the founder of Christian cenobitic monasticism. Coptic churches celebrate his feast day on 9 May ...

which are a collection of regulations, instructions, and prohibitions concerning the life of the community, the ''Rule of the Master'' contains precise regulations but also a theological and spiritual reflection showing the reason for the regulations. The Rule of the Master consisted of an introduction followed by ninety-five chapters. Over twenty chapters are devoted to the Divine Office. The four-part introduction comprises a prologue, the parable of the spring, the commentary on the Lord's Prayer and the commentary on the Psalms. The format follows the literary convention of a series of questions. The first part, through Chapter 10, discusses spiritual doctrine, the latter portion, monastic discipline.Walthen, Ambrose C., ''Silence: The Meaning of Silence in the Rule of St. Benedict'', Cistercian Publications, Consortium Press, Washington D.C., 1973, In the Parable of the Spring, the Master invokes Christ's appeal in Matthew 11:29 to "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart ..." Adalbert de Vogüé points out that the Master viewed the monastery as a school where one learns from Christ. The first part of the Rule is characterized by the abbot's function to teach. One of the writings that influenced the Master was Saint

Augustine Augustine of Hippo ( , ; la, Aurelius Augustinus Hipponensis; 13 November 354 – 28 August 430), also known as Saint Augustine, was a theologian and philosopher of Berber origin and the bishop of Hippo Regius in Numidia, Roman North A ...

's ''Letter 211'', which was sent to a community of women founded by Augustine in the city of Hippo. Augustine's writings were well known in the West in the sixth century (though unknown in the East until several centuries later) and his texts on religious or monastic life were considered standard. The writings of

John Cassian John Cassian, also known as John the Ascetic and John Cassian the Roman ( la, Ioannes Eremita Cassianus, ''Ioannus Cassianus'', or ''Ioannes Massiliensis''; – ), was a Christian monk and theologian celebrated in both the Western and Eastern c ...

are also indicated.Feiss OSB, Hugh. "Humility", The Monastery of the Ascension, Jerome, Idaho
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Influence

The ''Regula Magistri'' is three times as long as Benedict's rule. It was possibly used by

St Benedict Benedict of Nursia ( la, Benedictus Nursiae; it, Benedetto da Norcia; 2 March AD 480 – 21 March AD 548) was an Italian Christian monk, writer, and theologian who is venerated in the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Orie ...

as source material for his own "Rule". The structure of the Rules is similar, and there are parallel passages. However, Benedict did not simply copy the ''Regula Magistri''. He deleted some sections, and adapted others based on his own experience, placing more emphasis on fraternal love. Benedict's Rule demonstrates a more positive view of human nature than the Master.Fortin OSB, John R., "Saint Augustine's Letter 211 in The Rule of the Master and The Rule of Saint Benedict", ''Journal of Early Christian Studies'', vol. 14, No.2, Summer 2006, pp.225-234 There is no historical record of the ''Regula Magistri'' having ever been used by any particular monastic community.

History

Influence

See also

References

Further reading