勅修百丈清規 3.5

3.5

凡十方寺院住持虛席。必聞於所司。伺公命下。庫司會兩序勤舊茶。議發專使修書（頭首知事勤舊蒙堂前資僧眾）製疏（山門諸山江湖）茶湯榜（專使署名）請書記為之。如缺書記。擇能文字者。分為之。用絹素寫榜。所請專使或上首知事。或勤舊或西堂首座。或以次頭首充之。若非知事充專使。亦須以下知事一人同去掌財議事。具須知一冊。該寫本寺應有田產物業。及迎接儀從。一切畢備。山門管待專使一行人從。至起程日。詣諸寮相別。鳴僧堂鍾集眾門送。三門下釘掛帳設。向裏設位。講茶湯禮。請兩序勤舊光伴。如上首知事去。則下首知事行禮。如頭首勤舊去。則上首知事行禮。揖坐燒香揖香歸位。相伴喫茶。再起燒香揖香歸位。相伴喫湯收盞。專使起謝上轎。

Whenever the abbot's seat of a monastery of the ten directions becomes vacant, it must be reported to the relevant authorities. Awaiting the issuance of the official mandate, the storehouse convenes the two ranks and the retired officers for tea to deliberate on sending a special envoy, drafting letters (to the prefects, administrators, retired officers, the infirmary hall, former office-holders, and the Sangha), preparing proclamations (for the home monastery, other monasteries, and rivers and lakes), and drafting tea and hot water notices (signed by the special envoy), asking the scribe to compose them. If a scribe is lacking, one selects someone capable of writing to divide the task. The notices are written on plain silk. The invited special envoy may be the senior administrator, a retired officer, the west hall, the head seat, or a prefect of subsequent rank. If one other than an administrator serves as special envoy, one junior administrator must also go along to manage finances and deliberate on matters. A register of essential information is prepared, listing the monastery's landed estates, properties, and the welcoming retinue, all fully provided for. The monastery provides hospitality for the special envoy and his entire entourage. On the day of departure, he visits the various dormitories to take leave. The Sangha hall bell is struck to assemble the community at the gate to see him off. Beneath the triple gate, hangings and screens are put up, seats are set facing inward, and the tea and hot water ritual is performed. The two ranks and retired officers are invited to grace the gathering as companions. If a senior administrator is going, the junior administrator performs the ritual; if a prefect or retired officer is going, the senior administrator performs the ritual. He bows them to their seats, burns incense, bows over the incense, and returns to his seat, accompanying them in drinking tea. He rises again, burns incense, bows over the incense, returns to his seat, accompanies them in drinking hot water, and collects the cups. The special envoy rises, gives thanks, and mounts his sedan chair.