不看僧面看佛面

bùkànsēngmiànkànfómiàn ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄢˋ ㄙㄥ ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄎㄢˋ ㄈㄛˊ ㄇㄧㄢˋ

    • lit. not for the monk's sake but for the Buddha's sake (idiom)
    • fig. (to do sth for sb) out of deference to sb else

Character by character

Saying俗语俗語

Proverb谚语諺語 · In everyday use

Literally
if not for the monk's face, then look at the Buddha's face
Meaning
Even if you won't do it for the person themselves, do it out of respect for their relative or patron who stands behind them. Used when pleading for leniency or a favour.

Sources