During the reign of Emperor Qianlong, there were changes in the affiliated institution of the Sangha Office. It was transferred from the Ministry of Rites to the Imperial Household Department, approximately before the 31st year of Emperor Qianlong's reign. The location of the government office continued from the Ming Dynasty, initially located at Dalongshan Huguo Temple during the Shunzhi reign and later moved to Zhengfa Temple during the Kangxi reign. However, it is uncertain whether the government office remained at Zhengfa Temple or was relocated elsewhere after the fifth year of the Yongzheng reign, as there are no recorded accounts. During the Qianlong reign, when the affiliated institution of the Sangha Office was transferred to the Imperial Household Department, it is also uncertain whether there were any changes in the location of the government office. Regarding personnel transfers and ranks, the highest Sangha official of the Sangha Office was originally the Left Shanshi. During the Yongzheng reign, the Administrator of the Sangha Office was added, and the Chief of the Sangha Office was added in the Qianlong reign, the position of the Left Shanshi was replaced but was not disbanded. The official rank of eight positions, including Left Shanshi, followed the planning of the Ming Dynasty, but the newly added positions of Administrator of the Sangha Office and Chief of the Sangha Office did not have any official rank. The transfer rules for the eight positions dictated that vacancies at higher ranks would be filled by individuals at lower ranks. For example, when the Left Shanshi became vacant, it would be filled by Right Shanshi. As for the transfer rules of the Chief of the Sangha Office, a vacancy in the position would be filled by the Deputy Chief, and if the Deputy Chief position became vacant, it would be filled by the abbot of the official temple. Each position had its own specific rules and scope of transfer.
