釋門歸敬儀 2.18

2.18

Furthermore, the noble and the lowly are not the same, and the expression of respect differs. When reverence is performed in India, one first bows with the body and afterward praises with verses. For example, in the Amitārtha Sūtra, eighty thousand bodhisattvas came to the Buddha's place, bowed their heads and faces at his feet, circumambulated him hundreds of thousands of times, scattered flowers, burned incense, and brought clothing, jewels, necklaces, along with bowls filled to overflowing with the hundred flavors, complete in color and fragrance. They also set up banners, pennants, and canopies, along with various wondrous musical entertainments, arranging them everywhere and playing various instruments to make offerings to the Buddha; then, kneeling before him, single-mindedly joining their palms, with one voice they spoke verses in praise, saying: "Great is the Greatly Awakened, Great Holy Master, / Free of defilement, unstained, and unattached, / Tamer of Men, of gods, humans, elephants, and horses, / The breeze of whose Path and fragrance of whose virtue perfume all." There are over thirty stanzas of such verses. In all the great sūtras, there are similarly praises and verses. In the Chinese realm, from the Son of Heaven on down, praising eminent virtue is extremely widespread; either they praise with voice or eulogize in writing; secular customs respect and esteem this, and its influence extends far. Therefore, the monk with a fragrant mouth obtained his retribution through praising the Buddha; induced by correct karma, he was named by people accordingly. Considering the sequence of actions, it should be after bowing; taking occasion of this praise, one thereby proceeds to laudation.