勅修百丈清規 2.48

2.48

Prior to each summer retreat, those who have newly returned to the hall to request incense select one leader. The karmadāna coordinates and leads the assembly to the attendant office, reporting: 'The newly registered brothers wish to request the upādhyāya for incense instruction and general sermon. We dare to trouble the attendant to report this.' The reply is: 'Allow us to report it later, and we will notify you.' If the abbot consents, he informs the hall office to issue the diagram for requesting incense (the format is seen below). Gauging the size of the assembly, it is arranged in several rows, divided into eastern and western sides facing the dharma seat, lined up according to monastic age. In advance, they assemble to practice the ritual. The hall postulant collects money from the assembly to purchase three pieces of incense, large and small, and paper, covering the cost of making the diagram, and gives it to the leader to keep. On the day, the attendant directs the guest prefect to arrange a screen and chairs in the sleeping hall or dharma hall; three incense tables and three pairs of candlesticks are required, arranged in a row in the shape of the character 品 before the chairs; outside, a small bowing mat is laid. The hall postulant notifies the assembly one by one in advance and hangs the incense-request notice. The attendant posts a small notice on the pillar of the dharma hall beforehand, saying: 'By the kind order of the hall head upādhyāya, the eminent worthies, the west hall, and the head seat are all exempt from requesting incense. Respectfully announced by so-and-so of the attendant office.' On the day, after morning congee, the various dormitories each strike their wooden boards three times; the assembly gathers and stands according to their positions on the diagram, each preparing a small incense box and niṣīdana. The leader, together with the karmadāna and the attendant, enters to invite the abbot to come out. The leader returns to his place, greets with folded hands together with the assembly, steps forward, and says: 'We invite the upādhyāya to sit cross-legged.' The abbot takes his seat. The assistant leader hands a large piece of incense to the leader, who, together with the assembly, greets with folded hands and inserts the incense. Each fully unfolds their niṣīdana and makes three prostrations, collects their niṣīdana, and again greets with folded hands together. The leader advances to the side of the chair, greets with folded hands, and reports: 'The matter of birth and death is great, and impermanence is swift. We humbly hope the upādhyāya in his compassion will provide guidance on the causes and conditions.' The abbot cites three cases and delivers turning words accordingly. Returning to his place, the leader greets with folded hands, inserts a piece of incense, and rejoins the assembly in their places, standing with hands clasped across the chest. Three people each from the east and west step out of rank; the first and second persons of the east pass before the east censer, and the third passes before the center censer; the first and second persons of the west pass before the west censer, and the third passes before the center censer. In pairs they offer incense and greet with folded hands; then the three from the east pass to the east, and the three from the west pass to the west, advancing in turn as before, walking slowly to take their places at the tail of the ranks. In threes, with hands clasped across the chest, they step out of rank and return to their places with palms joined. After all have burned incense, they advance in order to their original positions and make three prostrations together with the assembly without collecting their niṣīdana. The leader steps forward and says: 'Having received the upādhyāya's compassionate consent, our humble feelings are exceedingly grateful.' Returning to his place, he makes three prostrations together with the assembly, steps forward, and says: 'At this present season, we respectfully inquire together after the hall head upādhyāya's venerable health, daily life, and myriad blessings.' Returning to his place, he makes three prostrations together with the assembly and collects his niṣīdana. The postulant strikes the drum five times. The two ranks turn around and stand in order before the seat; the leader stands below the western rank; those requesting incense turn east and west to stand facing each other according to their positions; the retired officers and those from the infirmary hall who have already requested incense stand behind them. When the general sermon is finished, all face the dharma seat again; the leader inserts incense and makes three prostrations together with the assembly; if prostrations are excused, he performs a prostration touching the mat, steps forward, and says: 'By the fortune of past lives, we have received the upādhyāya's compassionate guidance; our humble feelings are exceedingly grateful.' All greet with folded hands together and withdraw. The leader leads the assembly to the lower bay of the dharma hall and thanks the karmadāna and attendant with a prostration touching the mat. Next, the assembly thanks the leader with a prostration touching the mat. The guest-inviting attendant prepares the tea roster in advance according to monastic seniority, providing table covers, brush, and inkstone. When the request for incense is concluded, they are lined up in the lower bay of the dharma hall to be invited for tea, each signing their name; the head seat is invited to keep company. After the meal, the drum is struck, the assembly returns to their places and stands, and the two attendants conduct the ritual (the same as normal special hospitality tea). That evening, the abbot's quarters invites the leader, karmadāna, and attendant for the evening meal, with the head seat keeping company. The next morning, tea is offered to the leader. At mid-day, refreshments are offered to the leader, karmadāna, and attendant. If the entire assembly participates in requesting incense, the head seat acts as the leader; for the special hospitality tea, the west hall is invited to keep company. After the abbot enters the monastery and personnel matters are settled, the monastery storehouse prepares incense, and the head seat leads the assembly to earnestly request him to hold the request for incense on behalf of the assembly, after which the hall is opened (according to ancient rule, those who have not participated in requesting incense are not permitted to enter the master's room).