勅修百丈清規 2.61

2.61

Whenever the new and full moons and the five evening assemblies with ascending the hall have finished, the postulant leader instructs the food-announcing postulant to notify the various service offices, and hangs a board before the postulants' hall to notify the assembly. When the dusk bell sounds, the wooden board is struck three times before the postulants' hall to assemble the postulants. First [they go to] the Buddha hall, next the patriarchs' hall, the Sangha hall, and before the front hall dormitory to call the greeting, and only then proceed to the bed chamber to line up. The postulant leader enters the abbot's quarters to invite the abbot to come out and take his seat. The postulant leader steps forward, inserts incense, steps back, and returns to his position; in a slow voice he calls out: (“We pay our respects”). The assembly in a low voice joins in saying: (“How do you do?”). Together they make three prostrations, hold their breath, and respectfully listen to the admonitions and instructions. When finished, they make another three prostrations. The postulant leader calls out: (“Take care”). The assembly in unison responds in a low voice, greets with folded hands, and withdraws. If the abbot is occupied with other matters, the food-announcing postulant calls out: (“By the kind decree of the abbot's quarters, the evening assembly is held”). The assembly says: (“How do you do?”). Next, in an elongated voice he calls out: (“The assembly is dismissed”). The assembly says: (“Take care”), together greets with folded hands, and withdraws.