勅修百丈清規 5.90

5.90

堂頭和尚粥罷回禮

May I request you to sit cross-legged.

Stepping back with his left foot, he turns and passes to the right of the incense table, returns to his place, and bows in unison with the others. The co-leader then takes the pack of incense out of his sleeve and hands it to the leader. The ceremonial leader receives it in his sleeve with a small bow; with his hands clasped over his chest, he steps toward the incense table, burns incense with his left hand, returns by the same route as before, and bows in unison with the others. Leading the first three members, he and the others open their sitting cloths; the abbot stretches out his hand, signaling [by this gesture that they are] excused from [performing the] full propriety. The three immediately stand and fold up their sitting cloths. The ceremonial leader steps forward and says:

So-and-so and the others, due to good fortune from past lives, have

been permitted to reside under your protection. We are most grateful.

As before, he steps back, goes around the right end of the incense table, returns to his place, and, after a bow, again opens his sitting cloth. The abbot once again excuses him from the full propriety. The ceremonial leader stands, folding his sitting cloth, steps forward again and says:

On this day at this respectful moment, may the venerable master of

the temple enjoy every blessing in daily life.

Once again he returns to his position and, after a bow, performs three prostrations with unopened sitting cloth. The abbot responds with a prostration. The first three practitioners bow, turn to the left, and go around to the end of the line. Thereupon the next three step forward to take the place of the first group. Their statements and manner of conduct are identical to the preceding. The ceremonial leader remains in place next to the assistant official and watches each group as they complete the propriety. When his co-leader reaches his former position, he joins him and, leading all the members, they bow in unison and withdraw.

The ceremonial co-leader heads the procession, while the ceremonial leader brings up the rear. When the procession arrives outside the entrance of the practitioners’ quarters, the co-leader stands outside at the lower side of the entrance. He enters the quarters from the right-hand side of the entrance, turns around toward the lower-ranking section of the quarters, and directs the members to form lines, as many as are needed according to their number. He steps forward and stands next to the ceremonial leader to await the arrival of the master, and they receive him with a bow in unison with the other residents. He then turns to enter the quarters, escorting the abbot. All members step forward or back, maintaining their lines and adequate distance between themselves with due attention to each other. The ceremonial leader turns toward the incense burner, performs a prostration with unopened sitting cloth, and says:

Though this is another moment, we respectfully wish that the vener-

able master, head of the temple, enjoys every blessing in daily life.

We, So-and-so, and the others, are obliged to express our thanks through

veneration to you for the residency you have granted us. We have now

received your gracious visit. We are most grateful, sir.

All members see the abbot off as he leaves.

The ceremonial leader moves to the higher-ranking side outside the entrance and remains there, while the co-leader leads the members by turning around toward the higher-ranking section of the quarters. Bidding the members to remain there, the co-leader goes to stand next to the ceremonial leader, and together they escort the abbot’s assistant official into the quarters. The ceremonial leader says:

We, So-and-so, and the others, are fortunate that we have acquired our

residency with your assistance. We have now received your gracious

visit, for which we are most grateful.

The ceremonial leader alone sees him off. Next, the dual order officials are escorted into the quarters. After performing a prostration with unopened sitting cloth, the ceremonial leader says:

At this moment, we respectfully wish that the primary seat official,

the administrative official, and all the other Zen masters enjoy every

blessing in daily life. We have not only been granted residency but

have also received your visit. We are most grateful.

The ceremonial leader sees the dual order officials off, and then returns to stand in the higher-ranking section of the hall. The co-leader leads the group members, turning behind the altar of Guanyin Bodhisattva, to stand before the incense burner. He calls the group to attention by looking back toward the end of the line and, stationing himself upright facing toward the ceremonial leader, he performs a prostration with unopened sitting cloth and says:

We, So-and-so, and the others, are very much obliged to you for your

thoughtful guidance, and hence express here our special thanks.

The members must be instructed in the performance of this propriety beforehand. On the appointed day, it is necessary for the guest reception master of the abbot’s office and the attendants of the practice hall office to rise early and prepare the notice of return propriety by copying the originals and posting them in front of the practitioners’ quarters. The abbot’s notice is posted in the higher-ranking section, while that of the dual order officials is posted in the lower-ranking section (format given below).

Format of the Notice of Return Propriety

The Venerable Abbot, master of the temple, will visit the leader of those