勅修百丈清規 2.79

2.79

When a dharma successor arrives at the monastery to sponsor a meal offering, he has his accompanying administrator go to the monastery storehouse to calculate accounts, and prepare and deliver the necessary money and goods. The evening before, he first goes to the attendants' quarters to consult and report, goes to the abbot's quarters, inserts incense, and makes a prostration with spread mat; if exempted, he makes a prostration touching the mat and requests: 'Tomorrow morning in the Cloud Hall, I have prepared a humble offering, humbly hoping your compassionate kindness will especially condescend to honor us.' He instructs the guest prefect to invite the two ranks, the individual dormitories, and all dormitories, and hangs the meal offering placard. When the day comes, the abbot's seat in the Sangha hall is solemnly arranged with covers, as well as table cloths and monetary gift accessories. When the fire-board sounds, the great assembly proceeds to the hall. The sponsor of the meal offering follows the abbot into the hall and makes greetings with folded hands to take their seats. Turning around, he burns incense and clasps his hands before the sacred monk, goes before the abbot to make a greeting with folded hands, and comes out around behind the sacred monk. The abbot gestures with his hand to invite the sponsor of the meal offering to sit, his seat being at the head of the guest master's bench. The postulant calls out: 'May the great assembly lower their bowls.' The food is served all around. The sponsor of the meal offering rises, burns incense, and distributes the gifts, making a greeting with folded hands to the abbot, and then distributes the assembly's gifts. Only then does the kitchen office strike the meal-board and serve the rice. When the rice is finished, the assembly gathers their bowls, and the abbot's table is cleared. The sponsor of the meal offering burns incense, goes before the abbot to make a greeting with folded hands, comes out from behind the sacred monk, and makes a greeting with folded hands before the incense burner. The bell is struck, and tea is served all around. He goes before the abbot to urge tea, comes out again from behind the sacred monk, advances before the abbot, spreads his niṣīdana, and says: 'Today's slight gift was a trivial intrusion, and I am especially privileged by your honoring presence; my humble feelings cannot contain the utmost gratitude.' Spreading his mat twice for cold-and-warm greetings, he makes three prostrations touching the mat, and escorts the abbot out. The sponsor of the meal offering returns again to the hall, burns incense, and makes greetings with folded hands to the upper and lower bays to thank them for lending their company. Again in the center he makes a greeting with folded hands, strikes the bell, and collects the cups. Next, he goes to the abbot's quarters to express thanks for his honoring presence, and the abbot subsequently goes to the guest quarters to express thanks. If a meal offering is sponsored by another monastery, upon awaiting the preparation of the meal, they invite the abbot to proceed together to the hall. He bows the abbot to his seat; the abbot should excuse the ritual prostrations, and bows the sponsor of the meal offering back to his seat. When the serving of food is completed, he rises, burns incense, goes before the abbot, makes a greeting with folded hands, presents the gifts, and distributes the gifts to everyone. He burns incense for his companions, returns to his seat to accompany the meal, and whether the tea ritual is conducted or omitted is weighed according to circumstance.