四分律刪繁補闕行事鈔 1.471

1.471

Eighth, explaining the method of making offerings for the upoṣadha recitation. If there is a high seat, that is best; if none, it is done upon the noble monk's seat, moving the noble monk's seat below. Once that precept-reciter is seated, the karmadāna strikes the silence-block, the junior monks make offerings, and the Brahmā chanting is performed. If following the Vinaya text, the chanting (bhāṇaka) is done according to the Dharma. The Chuyao lüyi states: 'In the language of the country of Udyāna, this translates as "cutting off and stopping", and also "calming and resting". Because external conditions have been stopped and cut off, at that time it is serene and quiet, fit for performing the affairs of the Dharma.' Those three to five junior bhikṣus carry scented water and sprinkle water to the left and right in front of the saṃgha, leaving an empty space in the middle intended for walking back and forth. The scented warm water and flowers follow the same method as the water. After scattering and sprinkling, the remainder is in the middle; they should hold the water and flowers together in one tray, and proceeding collectively from one end, step backward and disperse them, ensuring they reach both sides. The empty vessels are returned to their original places. The attendants return to their seats. When scattering the flowers, they each recite the verse from the Avataṃsaka Sūtra: 'Scattered flowers adorn with pure radiance; / an awning is made of adorned precious blossoms; / scattering manifold precious blossoms pervading the ten directions, / they are offered to all the Tathāgatas.' Those who make the offerings wait until the flowers have been scattered, and only then perform prostrations. After pinching incense three times, holding the censer, facing the direction where the sthavira sits, they kneel on one knee and place the incense in the censer. The karmadāna says: 'Circulate the incense and recite the verse.' According to this method, whenever Master Daoan had an assembly of monks, offerings were made individually; later, seeing that it was cumbersome and lengthy, he had one person act on behalf of the assembly. This is fully detailed in the original text. Each recites the verse from the Avataṃsaka: 'The incense of morality, concentration, and liberation / forms a cloud-terrace of radiance pervading the Dharma-realm, / offered to the immeasurable Buddhas of the ten directions; / seeing and hearing it universally perfumed, they realize cessation.' The karmadāna strikes the silence-block; those who made offerings return to their seats, and the karmadāna remains in his original place.