勅修百丈清規 2.65

2.65

When a special envoy arrives delivering a dharma robe, he first meets with the guest master to convey his purpose, and together they go up to the attendants' quarters to trouble them to report to the abbot's quarters. [The abbot] either receives him immediately or the next morning. The attendant instructs the guest prefect in advance to notify and invite the two ranks to assemble. The special envoy inserts incense and exchanges greetings according to the ordinary protocol. After thanks are offered for tea, he inserts incense again, spreads his mat twice, and makes three prostrations; if exempted, he performs a prostration touching the mat. He states: 'I respectfully present herewith Upādhyāya So-and-so's dharma robe as a token of trust.' Using a cloth-wrapped tray, he presents the dharma robe and tokens of trust, and only then takes his seat. The two ranks lend their company as guests. When tea is finished, hot water is presented. When the hot water is finished, the two ranks escort him together to his lodging. An attendant leads him on a round of the dormitories. On another day, upon ascending the hall, the abbot's seat is arranged to the left of the dharma seat; the special envoy fully spreads his mat and makes three prostrations. He holds up the robe and presents it. The abbot receives the robe and delivers dharma words, dons the robe, and ascends the seat. If the master from whom he inherited the dharma has already passed away, a spirit-table is set up in the right bay of the dharma hall; descending from the seat, he offers a sacrifice and chants sūtras, according to the protocol for when a bequest letter arrives, which is seen below.