勅修百丈清規 4.24

4.24

凡住持上堂小參。普說開室。念誦放參。節臘特為。通覆相看。掛塔燒香行禮記錄法語。燒香侍者職之　凡住持往復書問製作文字。先具草呈。如闕書記。山門一應文翰。書狀侍者職之　凡住持應接賓客管待尊宿。節臘特為具狀行禮。請客侍者職之。或維那知客俱不赴眾。或在假。其行事三侍者皆當攝之（或云書狀不當干涉餘事。無據）若住持久出則歸眾行立。暫出則不離班位。

Whenever the abbot ascends the hall, gives informal gatherings, delivers open sermons, conducts personal interviews, leads recitations, dismisses evening study, offers special hospitality on seasonal festivals, conveys reports, exchanges visits, hangs pagoda banners, burns incense, conducts rituals, or records Dharma words, the incense-burning attendant manages it. Whenever the abbot exchanges correspondence or drafts writings, a preliminary draft is submitted first; if there is a vacancy for the scribe, all monastic literary documents are handled by the clerk attendant. Whenever the abbot receives guests, entertains venerable elders, or presents invitations and performs rituals for special hospitality on seasonal festivals, the guest-inviting attendant manages it. If both the karmadāna and the guest master do not join the assembly or are on leave, the three attendants should jointly act as their deputies. (Some say the clerk should not intervene in other affairs, but there is no basis for this.) If the abbot is away for a long time, they return to the assembly to walk and stand; if he is away temporarily, they do not leave their rank.