勅修百丈清規 2.32

2.32

On the memorial day of the mountain founder, or of one whose practice of the Way was lofty and revered, and whose achievements benefited the mountain monastery, the night before, the dharma hall is arranged. The ceremonial protocol follows that of Baizhang, or there may be no statement; the monastery storehouse prepares the offerings. For the memorial days of successive generations, no statement is prepared, nor is special hospitality tea or hot water offered. When the time arrives, the hall office notifies the monastery storehouse in advance to prepare offerings and invite the spirit tablet, arranging it to the west of the dharma seat. When the gruel is finished, the community is assembled. The abbot and the two ranks line up in a single row. The karmadāna steps out to bow to the rank, burns incense, and when finished returns to his position. Together, they spread mats and bow three times. The attendants bow at the end of the rank (the Great Pure Rules says: in some places they place the food in the Patriarch Hall and chant sūtras at a single seat; this is contrary to ritual). The Great Compassion Dhāraṇī is led, followed by the transfer of merit: "The jewel-bright ocean of emptiness stills the churning waves of birth and death; the gate of great quiescent samādhi dissolves the forms of past and present, coming and going. Looking upward, we hope your pure compassion will look down and clearly witness: at this mountain monastery on a certain day of the present month, humbly meeting the anniversary of the former abbot of this mountain, the such-and-such generation, Chan Master of such title, entering tranquility, we prepare precious delicacies to extend our offerings. The assembly of monks recites the Great Compassion Divine Mantra, dedicating the extraordinary merit gathered thereby to elevate his rank. We humbly pray: may the sun of wisdom shine again, illuminating the bright seed of the patriarchal house; may the numinous root sprout anew, returning the spring of flowers and trees to Shaolin, and so forth." If an invocation is led by a fellow townsman or one of the rivers and lakes, the transfer of merit says: "The merit of chanting sūtras above is dedicated to the Great Upādhyāya of such title, to elevate his rank. All [Buddhas of the ten directions and three times], and so forth." If there is a distribution of donations, the Śūraṅgama Mantra is led, and the transfer of merit is the same as before.