勅修百丈清規 5.24

5.24

mate knowledge (i.e., omniscience, sarvajña).

Veneration to all Buddhas, bodhisattvas, mahāsattvas, and Mahā-

prajñāpāramitā presiding in the ten directions and the three times.

On completion of this recitation, the ordination master takes his seat.

The master of ceremonial chanting rings the standing bell and recites the following verses in praise of the Buddha:

Abiding in this world like pure extended space,

Like a lotus that is untouched by water;

Yet the purity of [the Buddha’s] mind even surpasses it,

I salute him with a deep bow, the Highest and Most Honorable One.

I have taken refuge in the Buddha. I am determined to realize

enlightenment and uphold my mind to strive for the path, without

ever retrogressing.

I have taken refuge in the Dharma. I am determined to realize omnis-

cience and acquire the great gate of transcendent concentration.

I have taken refuge in the sangha. I am determined to resolve disputes

so as to enter together with others the ocean of harmonious unity.

The merit accrued from the foregoing rites of head-shaving and receiv-

ing the precepts under oath is the limitless, excellent, good cause that

we shall dedicate to those innumerable other worlds to venerate those

holy beings who preside there.

At the moment when the master of ceremonial chanting begins the verses praising the Buddha, with the line, “Abiding in this world like pure extended space,” the master of ceremonial instruction immediately rings his hand-bell to signal the ordained novices to perform three prostrations before the ordination master. They then turn toward the guardian bodhisattva’s altar and again perform three prostrations. The master of ceremonial instruction then bows and leads the ordained novices to the outer hall, where they wait at the lower-ranking (left-hand) section. The ordination master and the other two masters perform three prostrations with fully opened sitting cloth before the altar of the guardian bodhisattva and leave the hall. When the practice hall attendant tolls the hall bell three times, the abbot leaves the hall, and the practitioners descend from their sitting platforms.

3. Post-ceremonial Activities

The primary seat official leads the practitioners to the abbot’s office in order to express congratulation. If there are a great number of practitioners, the abbot must receive their congratulations at the Dharma hall, where the guest master’s attendant has beforehand set up an area with incense, candles, an incense burner, flower vases, a screen, and a chair. First, the ordination master and the other two masters perform the formality of two prostrations with opened sitting cloth and three prostrations with unopened sitting cloth. At the first opening of the sitting cloth, they say:

As assigned, we have completed the rite of ordination, conferring the

precepts to the newly ordained novices. Though we tried hard, due to

our lack of cultivation in matters of propriety we fear that it may have

taken much longer than the venerable expected. We cannot help but

feel extremely embarrassed, sir.

The abbot replies:

Since the ceremony was about the young novices’ rite of head-shav-

ing, I know how much effort you have exercised to complete it suc-

cessfully.

At the second opening of the sitting cloth, they enquire after the abbot’s well-being, and then complete the three prostrations with unopened sitting cloth. The abbot responds with a single prostration.

Next, the primary seat official and the practitioners step forward to burn incense and perform prostrations, some opening their sitting cloths, some not, and some are excused from either formality. Next, the abbot’s official assistant and disciples burn incense and perform three prostrations with fully opened sitting cloth, proceed forward without folding up their sitting cloths, and express congratulation to the master, saying:

The candidate novices have successfully undergone the rite of ordi-

nation, witnessed by the participant practitioners. We are all delighted

and cannot help rejoicing together in this supreme occasion, sir.

Once again they perform three prostrations and proceed forward to enquire of the abbot’s well-being. They then perform another three prostrations and fold up their sitting cloths. Next, the newly ordained novices burn incense and perform three prostrations with fully opened sitting cloth, proceed forward without folding up their sitting cloths, and say:

So-and-so and others have been allowed to fully receive your rev-

erend’s tradition and with good fortune have been authorized to wear

the kaṣāya robe. Thus, freed from the toil of worldly matters, we are

able to sever ourselves from the net of attachment. We cannot help

feeling profoundly grateful, sir.

Once again they perform three prostrations, step forward, and say:

On this day and this auspicious moment, we respectfully wish that all

is well and felicitous with the abbot, master of the temple, who spon-

sored our ordination.

Thereupon they perform another three prostrations and fold up their sit-

ting cloths.

[After this,] the abbot makes a round through the practitioners’ quarters

to return his thanks, while the newly ordained novices visit each of the office

quarters to express their gratitude. They settle into the novice quarters and

await another occasion when they will be authorized to ascend the Dharma

platform to receive the precepts of the Mahayana tradition. The word of

thanks to be expressed by the newly ordained novices is as follows:

So-and-so and others have been authorized to receive the initial rules

of the precepts, and thereby we have been placed at the beginning rank

of the practitioners despite our meager qualifications. We are most

grateful for the protection and assistance bestowed upon us.

The abbot answers:

In some of your past lives you may have been assured of completing

the rite of receiving the precepts, as you have now accomplished this.

By remaining steadfast with them and holding fast to your vow, you

must exert effort in assisting the teaching of our religion.

4. The Newly Ordained Novices

Join the Practice Hall

After completing the rite of ordination and the conferment of the śrāmaṇera

precepts, the newly ordained novices notify the abbot of the date on which

they wish to take the next step of joining the life of the practitioners in the

practice hall. Next, they report the date to both the primary seat official and

the director of practitioners’ affairs. On the appointed day, after the moment

when the director strikes [the octagonal wooden post] with the [mallet] to

signal completion of the first serving of rice gruel at the early morning meal,

the ceremonial leader escorts the newly ordained novices into the hall, where