勅修百丈清規 2.64

2.64

受法衣

three prostrations. They then all leave the hall and stand to the right of the entrance. After seeing off the abbot and the dual order officials with a bow, the ceremonial leader follows the abbot to the reception hall. He burns a [piece of] large-grain incense and performs nine prostrations before withdrawing. Next, he goes to the office of the [abbot’s] assistants and again offers incense and performs three prostrations. Finally both the ceremonial leader and his assistant go round to each of the officials to express their gratitude.

12. Receiving the Robe of Dharma Transmission

When a special official delegate arrives at the temple, transporting the robe of Dharma transmission to the abbot, the delegate is obliged to meet with the guest reception official to explain the purpose of his visit and also to convey the same to the abbot through his assistant in charge. He may either see the abbot immediately, or the next morning. The assistant in charge instructs the guest master to request the presence of the temple officials. The delegate burns incense and then drinks tea with them. After giving thanks for the tea, he once again burns incense and performs the formal propriety of two prostrations with opened sitting cloth and three prostrations with unopened sitting cloth. If this formality is excused, he performs only a single prostration with unopened sitting cloth and says:

This is the robe of Master So-and-so, which embodies his faith in the

Dharma transmission. I hereby present it to your reverence on his

behalf.

Thereupon he leaves the robe and other items wrapped in crepe and withdraws to the next room. The dual order officials participate in the serving of tea, followed by the serving of sweet hot water, and when all this is over, they accompany the delegate to the guest house. The abbot’s assistant, moreover, escorts him on a courtesy round of the practitioners’ quarters.

On a different day, at the time of his ascent to the Dharma hall, the abbot takes the seat that has been placed at the left side of the rostrum seat. The official delegate performs three prostrations with fully opened sitting cloth

and respectfully presents the robe to him. Upon receiving it, the abbot utters a word of insight on the Dharma, and, wearing [the robe] himself, ascends the rostrum seat. If the master of Dharma transmission [from whom he has received the robe has] already passed away, a casket table should be set up at the right rear side of the hall with the deceased master’s name tablet on it. After descending the high seat, [the abbot] makes offerings and chants sutras. The manner in which [he should] receive the written will is given below.

13. Receiving a Renowned

Virtuous Guest Practitioner

When a renowned practitioner visits the temple, a signboard indicating “senior guest reception” should be posted, and the large bell tolled to assemble the practitioners to greet the distinguished guest at the gate. If the visitor prefers a simpler approach, he may just arrive without prior announcement to the temple. It is the norm for the abbot to prepare incense and candles in the reception hall and meet such a guest there. The guest master reports the visit to the primary seat official by ringing the practice hall bell. Leading the practitioners, the primary seat official reaches the reception hall, burns incense, and greets the guest with a bow. The practitioners withdraw after saluting the guest with a bow, but the dual order officials and the retired officials remain in the presence of the honorable guest. After these officials burn incense and drink tea, the abbot’s assistant burns incense and performs prostrations. Following him, the guest’s assistants, novice attendants, serving men, and sedan chair bearers perform prostrations, all in due order. Once again the assistant burns incense and serves sweet hot water to the guest and the temple officials. After this is completed, both the incumbent and retired officials together escort the guest to the guest house. The guest reception attendant signals the sedan chair bearers to be ready. The abbot, accompanied by his assistant, escorts the guest on a courtesy round of the practitioners’ quarters. If the guest is from a monastic temple of lower status, the [abbot’s] assistant takes the role of escorting the guest.

The guest reception assistant, carrying a written invitation, visits the guest and, after burning incense, invites him to a special serving of sweet hot water:

The abbot requests your honorable presence at the special service of

sweet hot water to be held at the reception hall. May you in your com-

passion accept this invitation.

Thereupon he hands the written invitation to the guest. (Format given below.) The guest reception assistant further says:

After the serving of sweet hot water, you are invited to partake of an

evening meal, sir.

At the reception hall, the abbot’s office assistants are obliged to hang curtains and arrange the seat markers designating the special guest seat as well as those of the other participants. The drum signals commencement of the ceremony. The guest is escorted to his seat, incense is offered, and he is invited to drink. After this an evening meal is served, all following a similar format as that of the special serving. When the appointed time comes, the guest reception attendant goes to the guest and escorts him, saying:

The abbot requests your presence for a serving of sweet hot water and

fruit this evening.

[The guest reception attendant] also invites the dual order officials to participate in the serving. The abbot’s assistant notifies the participants that the abbot is scheduled to go to the Dharma hall the next morning to express his gratitude. In the morning, the guest is invited to a serving of sweet hot