大方廣佛華嚴經隨疏演義鈔 48.7

48.7

As for the commentary's phrase "As in the Vaipulya [sūtras]": the sūtra instructs that one must first adorn and purify the sanctuary, smearing the ground and both the inside and outside of the chamber with scented mud; make a circular altar with coloured paintings; hang five-coloured banners; burn shore-incense (kālāguru); light lamps; spread high seats; and invite twenty-four statues of the Honoured Ones (more are also fine). One must prepare delicacies and dishes with all one's might, and must have new clothes and footwear; if there are no new ones, wash old ones, taking them off and putting them on when going out and coming in, so that there is no admixture of impurities. One observes a continuous fast for seven days, bathing three times a day. On the first day, make offerings to monks as many or as few as one wishes, and separately invite one master who is clear on the inner and outer Vinaya to be one's preceptor, receive the twenty-four precepts and the dhāraṇī-mantras, and confess one's transgressions facing the master. It must be on the eighth day or the fifteenth day of the month; seven days must be taken as one period, and this cannot be reduced; if one can proceed further, it is at one's discretion and capability. There must be ten persons or fewer; it must not exceed this, and laypeople are also permitted. One must prepare single-seamed triple robes, fully equipped with the Buddha's ritual forms, circumambulate one hundred and twenty circuits, sit back and contemplate, and so forth. It is extensively as explained in the sūtras. The Fo ming jing is commonly seen and heard.