勅修百丈清規 2.68

2.68

當寺住持比丘某　右某輒以今晚就寢堂點湯特為。伏望　尊慈特垂　降重。謹狀

water; the [abbot’s] assistant burns incense, the attendants bow, and the serving men respectfully greet him verbally. The abbot shares rice gruel with the guest and then invites him to tea. His assistant once again announces, “The ascent to the Dharma hall is in order, sir.” A seat has been prepared to the right of the rostrum seat. At mid-morning, a light refreshment is served.

If the guest delegate is of especially great distinction, the primary seat official and other training officials speak to the abbot, enquiring if the guest may be invited to preach the Dharma for the sake of the practitioners. The abbot first makes a visit to the guest delegate to convey their wish to him. When it is granted, the primary seat official, carrying a written invitation, the dual order officials, and the practitioners all visit the guest delegate together to burn incense and express their wish [that he preach to them]. Next, they

visit the abbot to request him to perform the role of introducing the guest. Thereupon, the signboard notifying the practitioners is posted. Two chairs should be placed in front of the two chairs to the left and right of the rostrum. When the time comes, at the drum signal the abbot and the eminent guest proceed together to their respective places and remain standing there. The abbot introduces the guest to the practitioners and, as usual, takes his seat. The dual order officials proceed forward to salute the guest with a bow. Thereupon the guest goes before the abbot and bows, and at mid-hall he turns toward the assembly and bows in all directions before ascending the rostrum seat. The [abbot’s] assistants and the dual order officials, in pairs, step forward from their respective orders and bow toward the rostrum seat; the abbot does the same. After preaching, the guest delegate descends, bows to the abbot, and, as before, bows to the entire assembly. The abbot, the dual order officials, and the practitioners accompany the delegate to the guest house, burn incense, and express their gratitude. The abbot’s guest reception assistant prepares a written invitation and escorts the guest to a special dinner reception. The temple prepares food and a gift of money, and the abbot also prepares a monetary gift. The procedure and decorum are the same as those of the usual special serving. If the guest delegate is equal in rank to the abbot, they may deliberate to determine the proper courtesy.

If the guest is senior to the abbot in Dharma succession, the intermonastic reception propriety should be observed, as mentioned previously. [The guest] is escorted to the guest house and offered the main seat. The abbot burns incense and performs prostrations. If it is a matter of the propriety for a person of the same Dharma lineage [as the abbot], the guest must be escorted to the abbot’s office and offered the main seat. The manner of receiving and seeing off [the guest] is the same as before, and in the serving of tea and so on the abbot is obliged to conduct the proceedings himself. If the guest strongly declines, [the abbot] may let his assistant conduct the proceedings.

If the visiting practitioner is one of the abbot’s disciples in Dharma transmission, or a former temple official under him, or is related in Dharma succession, he must come directly to the abbot’s office. The abbot then has the practice hall bell rung to assemble the practitioners there so that he can carry out the interpersonal propriety. The abbot is first invited to take the central seat, and the guest performs an interpersonal disciple-to-master propriety.

Next, the propriety of an intermonastic reception must be explained. The manner of receiving or seeing off [a guest from another temple or monastery] is the same as before. The only difference is that a written invitation for the special serving of sweet hot water is not required. The abbot’s guest reception assistant burns incense and verbally invites the guest. Of course, expedient change may be required in accordance with the degree of ordination seniority.

(The different formats for the written invitations for the serving of sweet hot water, special dinner reception, and ascent to the Dharma hall are given below.)

i. Format of the Invitation to a Special Reception

of Sweet Hot Water

The abbot of this temple, So-and-so, unceremoniously invites the above

titled Venerable So-and-so to a special serving of sweet hot water this

evening at the reception hall. May you in your compassion especially

grant your presence.

Respectfully written and presented on

Date, month, year

ii. Invitation to a Special Dinner Reception

The abbot of this temple, So-and-so, unceremoniously invites the above

titled Venerable So-and-so to a special serving of rice gruel tomorrow

at the reception hall. May you in your compassion especially grant

your presence.

Respectfully written and presented on

Date, month, year

iii. Request for a Special Dharma Preaching

The abbot of this temple, So-and-so, unceremoniously requests the above

titled Venerable So-and-so to preach the Dharma and teach the practi-