四分律刪繁補闕行事鈔 1.470

1.470

七明請說戒師。佛令上座說戒，縱前已別差，終須前請。應至上座前，具修威儀已，合掌白言：「大德慈悲！為僧說戒。」若堪說者：「此說戒事正當我作。」便即唱之。若不堪者云：「但此說戒，任當某甲；但為老病，言辭濁鈍，恐惱眾僧；令次座說。」即至次座亦如前請。若辭不說者，應至上座云：「次座亦辭不堪。」上座先預知有誦利者，應語維那，至某甲所云：「僧差說戒。」彼至前所，具述已，還至打靜處，陳告之。若次座不堪，不須次第問下；準上《僧祇》，但得次座也。彼應告僧言：「大德僧聽！僧差律師某甲，為僧誦律；梵音某甲，律師升高座。」彼應具儀至僧中，四面禮僧已，互跪白言：「小比丘某甲，稽首和南，敬白眾僧：僧差誦律，恐有錯誤，願同誦者，指授。」白已，一禮，升座。

Seventh, explaining the invitation of the upoṣadha-reciting master. The Buddha ordered that the sthavira recite the precepts; even if someone else was specifically appointed beforehand, one must ultimately invite the former first. One should go before the sthavira, fully cultivate īryāpatha, join palms, and announce: 'May the venerable one be compassionate, and recite the precepts for the saṃgha!' If he is capable of reciting: 'This matter of reciting the precepts properly falls to me,' and he immediately announces it. If he is incapable, he says: 'Reciting these precepts should indeed fall to me, so-and-so; but due to old age and illness, my words are turgid and sluggish, and I fear disturbing the assembly of monks. Let the next seated monk recite.' Then one goes to the next seated monk and invites him as before. If he declines and will not recite, one should go to the sthavira and say: 'The next seated monk also declines as incapable.' If the sthavira knows in advance someone who recites fluently, he should tell the karmadāna to go to so-and-so's place and say: 'The saṃgha has appointed you to recite the precepts.' That person goes before him, fully relates this, and returns to the place of striking the silence-block to state the announcement. If the next seated monk is incapable, one need not ask down the line in sequence; according to the Mahāsāṃghika above, one goes only as far as the next seated monk. He should announce to the saṃgha: 'May the venerable saṃgha listen! The saṃgha has appointed Vinaya Master so-and-so to chant the Vinaya for the saṃgha; with Brahmā sounds, so-and-so, the Vinaya Master, ascends the high seat.' He should observe proper deportment, go into the midst of the saṃgha, bow to the saṃgha on all four sides, kneel on one knee, and state: 'I, junior bhikṣu so-and-so, bow my head in reverent homage, respectfully addressing the assembly of monks: the saṃgha has appointed me to chant the Vinaya; fearing there may be errors, I request that those who chant along with me instruct and guide me.' Having stated this, he makes one prostration and ascends the seat.