TheRegula Magistri orRule of the Master is an anonymous sixth-century collection ofmonasticprecepts. The text of theRule of the Master is found in theConcordia Regularum ofBenedict of Aniane, who gave it its name.
TheRule of the Master was written two or three decades beforeBenedict of Nursia's theRule of Saint Benedict.[1] Unlike the Rules ofPachomius, which are a collection of regulations, instructions, and prohibitions concerning the life of the community, theRule of the Master contains precise regulations but also a theological and spiritual reflection showing the reason for the regulations. TheRule of the Master consisted of an introduction followed by ninety-five chapters. Over twenty chapters are devoted to theDivine Office.
The four-part introduction comprises a prologue, the parable of the spring, a commentary on theLord's Prayer and the commentary on thePsalms. 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.[2]
In the Parable of the Spring, the Master invokes Christ's appeal inMatthew 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.[3] The first part of the Rule is characterized by the abbot's function to teach.[2]
One of the writings that influenced the Master wasSaintAugustine'sLetter 211, which was sent to a community of women founded by Augustine in the city ofHippo. 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.[4] The writings ofJohn Cassian are also indicated.[5]
TheRegula Magistri is three times as long as Benedict's rule. It was used bySt Benedict as source material for his own "Rule". The structure of the Rules is similar, and there are parallel passages.[2][6]
However, Benedict did not simply copy theRegula 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.[4] There is no historical record of theRegula Magistri having ever been used by any particular monastic community.