勅修百丈清規 3

English (machine translation) 3

Language: English

3.1

Recompiled under Imperial Order by the Monk and Subject Dehui, Abbot of Dazhi Shousheng Chan Monastery

3.2

Collated and Revised under Imperial Order by the Monk and Subject Dasu, Abbot of Dalongxiang Jiqing Monastery

Whenever the abbot's seat of a monastery of the ten directions becomes vacant, it must be reported to the relevant authorities. Awaiting the issuance of the official mandate, the storehouse convenes the two ranks and the retired officers for tea to deliberate on sending a special envoy, drafting letters (to the prefects, administrators, retired officers, the infirmary hall, former office-holders, and the Sangha), preparing proclamations (for the home monastery, other monasteries, and rivers and lakes), and drafting tea and hot water notices (signed by the special envoy), asking the scribe to compose them. If a scribe is lacking, one selects someone capable of writing to divide the task. The notices are written on plain silk. The invited special envoy may be the senior administrator, a retired officer, the west hall, the head seat, or a prefect of subsequent rank. If one other than an administrator serves as special envoy, one junior administrator must also go along to manage finances and deliberate on matters. A register of essential information is prepared, listing the monastery's landed estates, properties, and the welcoming retinue, all fully provided for. The monastery provides hospitality for the special envoy and his entire entourage. On the day of departure, he visits the various dormitories to take leave. The Sangha hall bell is struck to assemble the community at the gate to see him off. Beneath the triple gate, hangings and screens are put up, seats are set facing inward, and the tea and hot water ritual is performed. The two ranks and retired officers are invited to grace the gathering as companions. If a senior administrator is going, the junior administrator performs the ritual; if a prefect or retired officer is going, the senior administrator performs the ritual. He bows them to their seats, burns incense, bows over the incense, and returns to his seat, accompanying them in drinking tea. He rises again, burns incense, bows over the incense, returns to his seat, accompanies them in drinking hot water, and collects the cups. The special envoy rises, gives thanks, and mounts his sedan chair.

3.6

The Incumbent Abbot Accepts the Invitation

3.7

When the special envoy arrives at that monastery, he first meets the guest master, and together they go to the storehouse, where he is received and accommodated. Next, he meets the prefects and the various dormitories, and goes to the attendant quarters to report in detail the reason for his visit. The attendant reports this to the abbot to await his approval or refusal. If he accepts the invitation, then table covers are laid out, the proclamation and letter of invitation are placed thereon, and the two ranks are notified to arrive. They enter to invite the abbot to come forth. The special envoy greets him with folded hands (and invites him to sit cross-legged). The abbot stands in the centre. The special envoy inserts incense, fully unfolds his mat, makes three prostrations, steps forward, and says: 'Having received the command of my monastery, I have ventured to put your venerable presence to inconvenience in order to attend upon your compassionate countenance. My humble sentiments are exceedingly filled with boundless gratitude.' He makes another three prostrations and recites: 'In this present season and hour, I respectfully wish together that the newly appointed hall head great upādhyāya may enjoy myriads of blessings in health and daily life.' He makes another three prostrations and collects his niṣīdana. The abbot returns each with a prostration, saying: 'Undeservedly receiving the invitation, I bring blemish to the ancestral lineage; moreover, having troubled you to come from afar, I am exceedingly moved by deep gratitude.' The special envoy presents the proclamation, letter of invitation, and letters of inquiry. The abbot receives them and places them on the table, opens the letters and proclamation, and reads through them. The attendant bows him to his seat (the special envoy sits opposite the abbot; the west hall temporarily yields down by one seat to defer to the distant guest). When the tea is finished, together with the two ranks they escort him to the guest quarters. The hall office postulant strikes the Sangha hall bell, and the great assembly goes to the abbot's quarters to offer congratulations. The storehouse prepares incense. The head seat and administrators each insert incense and initially unfold their mats, saying: 'The Dharma door is most fortunate. Having heard of your glorious promotion, joy stirs the monastic grove. Our humble sentiments are filled with boundless exultation.' Unfolding their mats again, they say: 'In this present season and hour, we respectfully wish together that the newly appointed great upādhyāya in the hall of such-and-such place may enjoy myriads of blessings in health and daily life.' They make three prostrations touching the mat. The abbot returns one prostration, saying: 'Reflecting on my own carelessness and inadequacy, I have accidentally received this selection. Having caused you excessive trouble to offer congratulations, I am exceedingly ashamed.' The assembly disperses, and the guest master leads the special envoy on a round of the dormitories. Afterward, he presents in order the register of essential information, the welcoming retinue, and the utensils of his monastery. That evening, special hospitality of hot water and the evening meal is offered, and at night hot water and fruit are served; the two ranks and retired officers are invited to grace the gathering, with the storehouse making the arrangements.

3.8

Ascending the Rostrum upon Accepting the Invitation

3.9

After the invitation has been accepted, on the following day he ascends the rostrum. The attendant instructs the postulants in advance to arrange the proclamation and letters on a table to the right side below the Dharma seat and set up positions. The special envoy in advance reports to the karmadāna to invite the person who will read the proclamation and letters. The attendant reports to the abbot, and the drum is struck according to the customary procedure for going up to the hall. The abbot comes out and stands at his position, approaching the incense table. The special envoy burns incense and presents the proclamation and letters; with each presentation of a proclamation, the special envoy burns incense and hands it up. The abbot takes up each one, and each has its Dharma words. When the reading is complete, the special envoy again burns incense, twice unfolds his mat, and makes three prostrations; whether he makes prostrations touching the mat or is excused depends on the abbot's wish, and he withdraws from the table. The abbot ascends the rostrum, raises the main points, expresses his thanks, and concludes the assembly.

3.10

The Special Envoy's Special Hospitality of Decoction and Tea for the Newly Appointed [Abbot]

3.11

The special envoy first deliberates with the newly appointed abbot on the vegetarian donation, making its weight appropriate. The two ranks, retired officers, fellow provincials, and Dharma relatives who manage affairs contribute supplementary donations. The special envoy personally delivers the expenses for vegetarian provisions to the storehouse for procurement. On that day, the special envoy goes to the abbot's quarters, inserts incense, bows, and makes the invitation. At the initial unfolding of the mat, he says: 'Today at noon, we will hold a special hospitality of decoction and tea in the cloud hall. We humbly hope that, in your compassion, you will condescend to attend. My humble sentiments are exceedingly disgraced by my unworthiness.' Unfolding his mat again, he says: 'In this present season and hour, I respectfully wish together that the newly appointed hall head great upādhyāya may enjoy myriads of blessings in health and daily life.' He makes three prostrations touching the mat. The abbot returns one prostration. For the individual dormitories of the two ranks, the abbot's quarters guest prefect together with the special envoy's postulant go to each dormitory one by one to report the invitation. The decoction and tea placard is hung to inform the assembly. In the Sangha hall, the host seat is arranged; at the head of the west hall bench, the special envoy's seat is arranged. The tea and hot water notices are posted on both sides outside the hall. At the time of the vegetarian meal, the special envoy awaits the abbot in front of the Sangha hall. When he enters the hall, [the envoy] greets him with folded hands, returns to his seat, and bows him to his seat. He returns to the centre, greets with folded hands, and bows the assembly to their seats. He burns incense before the sacred monk, then in the upper and lower bays, then burns incense outside the hall, and returns inside the hall. In front of the abbot, in the upper and lower bays, and in the outer hall, he greets with folded hands, returns to the centre, greets with folded hands, and serves food all around. He burns incense and presents the donation to the abbot, then serves the donations to the great assembly; when finished, he returns to his seat to accompany the meal. Waiting until the rinse water has been removed and the drum is struck, the special envoy rises again, burns incense, and performs the rituals as before. Tea is served all around, and the pitchers are taken out as before. He greets with folded hands and collects the abbot's cup. The special envoy performs the ritual: at the first unfolding of the mat, he says, 'I have merely prepared a simple meal of vegetables and rice; I am humbly grateful that, in your compassion, you have condescended to attend. My humble sentiments are filled with boundless gratitude.' At the second unfolding, he inquires after his health, makes three prostrations touching the mat, and escorts the abbot out. Returning to the hall, he burns incense, fully unfolds his mat, makes three prostrations, circumambulates the hall once, as well as the outer hall, returns to the middle of the inner hall, greets with folded hands, and collects the cups. The drum is struck three times, and the seats are vacated. The special envoy follows up to the abbot's quarters to express his thanks, next goes to the storehouse to thank them for preparing the meal, and again goes to the abbot's quarters to invite the abbot to the evening meal; at night, hot water and fruit are served, and the two ranks and retired officers are invited to grace the gathering.

3.12

The Monastery Provides Hospitality for the Newly Appointed [Abbot] and the Special Envoy

3.13

The storehouse convenes a meeting to arrange hospitality and offerings according to ritual. On the preceding day, the senior administrator goes before the newly appointed abbot, inserts incense, bows, and makes the invitation; next, he goes to the guest quarters to report the invitation to the special envoy, and directs the storehouse guest prefect to invite the two ranks and retired officers to grace the gathering. The modest donations should be according to ritual and must not be treated with disrespect. The spoken words and the performance of rituals are all identical with those for the ritual of special hospitality. In the sleeping hall, a high seat is spread in the centre for the abbot, with the special envoy's seat placed beside it on the right. The two ranks are arranged on the left and right as usual; the retired officers are seated opposite, and the attendants are seated below the administrators. Besides offering hospitality to the servants who welcomed them from afar, rewards and compensations should also be disbursed. Wherever an abbot goes, it often happens that because he is leaving to assume office at another monastery, the monks and postulants harbour long-held resentments and readily engage in slander, spreading it to officials and commoners; thus, on account of a single person's ignorance, an entire monastery incurs a bad reputation. Seasoned and venerable elders, as well as external protectors from neighbouring peaks, should admonish and restrain this. However, for one who serves as abbot, in all matters it is best to leave behind a legacy of affection.

3.14

The Newly Appointed [Abbot] Takes Leave of the Assembly, Ascends the Hall, and Holds Tea and Hot Water

3.15

On the day of departure, the special envoy goes to the various dormitories to take leave. The newly appointed abbot ascends the hall to express thanks to the two ranks, retired officers, and the great assembly. Stepping down from the rostrum, the drum is struck three times; facing the Dharma seat, he stands and generally makes three prostrations touching the mat together with the great assembly. He exits through the west corridor; the great bell and various Dharma instruments are struck, and the great assembly escorts him to the gate. The attendants and servants stand in rows outside the gate. At the head of the mountain gate, hangings and screens have been put up in advance; a high seat is laid out in the centre facing inward, and the head seat faces outward to temporarily occupy the host's position. The west hall and retired officers divide to grace the gathering, and the eastern and western ranks sit facing each other on both sides. The senior administrator performs the ritual, bows them to their seats, bows over the incense, returns to his seat, serves tea, and collects the cups. Rising again, he burns incense, bows over the incense, returns to his seat, and serves hot water. When the hot water is finished, [the abbot] rises, gives thanks, and mounts his sedan chair. The two ranks and retired officers prepare sedan chairs to escort him afar, but the abbot should firmly decline this. The great bell is struck and ceases only when the abbot's sedan chair is far away.

3.16

A West Hall or Prefect Accepts an Invitation

3.17

When the special envoy arrives at the monastery, he first meets the guest master, and together they go to the attendant quarters, where he is led to an audience in the abbot's quarters. He inserts incense, unfolds his mat, and bows. After their greeting and tea, he is escorted to the guest quarters. Next, he goes to the various dormitories to pay courtesy calls. When finished, he informs the attendant, and together they go to the abbot's quarters, reporting: 'Such-and-such monastery now invites such-and-such person to serve as abbot.' The abbot notifies the two ranks and retired officers, and together they go to the invitee's dormitory, setting out the proclamation, letter of invitation, and letters of inquiry. The special envoy inserts incense and performs the ritual in the same manner as when inviting an incumbent abbot. If he does not accept, the assembly urges him to accept. After the invitation is accepted, the abbot invites the newly appointed abbot, as well as the two ranks and retired officers, for tea, and escorts the newly appointed abbot back to the guest quarters. He receives congratulations in order, goes around the dormitories to pay courtesy calls, and in the evening invites the newly appointed abbot and the special envoy for special hospitality of hot water and the evening meal, as well as night hot water and fruit, with the two ranks gracing the gathering.

3.18

The Invitee Ascends the Rostrum (only a renowned and virtuous west hall or front hall head seat performs this)

3.19

The special envoy on the preceding evening should carry incense in his sleeve and go to the abbot's quarters, making three prostrations touching the mat and saying: 'I bow and request that the upādhyāya lead the seat for the newly appointed upādhyāya tomorrow.' On the next day, after the congee, chairs and a table are arranged on the right side of the Dharma seat, and the proclamation and letters are placed on the table. To the left of the seat, a chair for the abbot is also set up. The drum is struck to assemble the community. The abbot comes forth and ascends the rostrum, identical with the ritual for the five evening assemblies. He directs the guest-inviting attendant to invite the newly appointed abbot to sit cross-legged, praises the newly appointed abbot for stepping forward for the sake of the Dharma, and urges him to raise and expound [the Dharma] to comfort the community's thirsty yearning. Raising a case or not is not fixed (Songyuan led the seat for Yanshi, and Xiao'an led the seat for Songyuan, and neither raised a case; Shiqiao led the seat for Jianchang, and Xi'an led the seat for Fu'an, and both raised a case). Stepping down from the rostrum, the abbot returns to his seat, standing on the left facing outward. The special envoy, together with the guest master and attendants, goes before the newly appointed abbot, and when they have greeted him with folded hands, the newly appointed abbot comes out, greets the abbot with folded hands, and next greets the two ranks and the great assembly with folded hands. If the newly appointed abbot is a Dharma-heir disciple, the abbot confers the Dharma robe with Dharma words. Having donned the robe, he steps forward, invites the abbot to sit cross-legged, fully unfolds his mat, and makes three prostrations without collecting his niṣīdana. Stepping forward, he says: 'Having early received your moulding and cultivation, I look up in shame to our ancestral lineage; since their invitation is earnest, it is difficult to escape the official mandate. My humble sentiments are filled with boundless trepidation.' He makes another three prostrations, steps forward, and says: 'In this present season and hour, I respectfully wish together that the root master and great upādhyāya in the hall may enjoy abundant blessings in health and daily life.' He makes another three prostrations, collects his niṣīdana, steps forward, and greets with folded hands. The abbot replies, saying: 'That which this Way relies upon is a single strand holding nine tripods. Without disgracing yourself in undertaking this duty, I only hope that you will protect and maintain it.' Then he returns to stand at the right of the seat. As the special envoy hands over the proclamation and letters, each has Dharma words. If he is not a Dharma heir, he immediately comes out before the seat and greets the abbot with folded hands, next greets the two ranks and the great assembly with folded hands, and goes directly to the right of the seat to take up the robe and take up the proclamation and letters, each with Dharma words. The special envoy first reports to the karmadāna to invite the person who will read the proclamation and letters. When the reading is complete, [the invitee] points to the seat with Dharma words, ascends the rostrum, delivers opening words, engages in questions and answers, raises the main points, expresses thanks, concludes the assembly, and steps down from the rostrum. Going before the abbot, he twice unfolds his mat and makes three prostrations. At the initial unfolding, he says: 'Undeservedly receiving the invitation, I bring blemish to the ancestral lineage; looking up in gratitude for your gracious completion, my humble sentiments are filled with boundless gratitude.' The abbot replies, saying: 'Rejoicing in the invitation of humans and devas, gloriously increasing the radiance of the Buddha's sun, my humble sentiments are filled with boundless joy.' Unfolding his mat again, he says: 'In this present season and hour, I respectfully wish together that the hall head upādhyāya may enjoy abundant blessings in health and daily life.' He makes three prostrations touching the mat. Whether this is performed or excused depends on the abbot's wish. Next, he greets the two ranks and the great assembly with folded hands. Guided by the guest master and attendant, he makes the rounds of the dormitories to express thanks. If he is a Dharma heir, upon stepping down from the rostrum he first goes before the abbot, fully unfolds his mat, makes three prostrations, steps back, greets the great assembly with folded hands, and then makes the rounds to give thanks as before. If he is a prefect of subsequent rank or west hall, it is again left to the abbot's discretion at the time whether to perform it.

3.20

The Special Envoy's Special Hospitality of Decoction and Tea for the Invitee

3.21

The special envoy goes before the newly appointed [abbot] to deliberate and settle on the silver donation for the abbot's quarters' guiding to the seat, the donation to the assembly, [the donations for] the readers of the missives, and the supplementary donations for the two ranks, the retired officers, those of the broader monastic community, fellow provincials, Dharma relatives, and others. When the morning gruel is finished on the day, the special envoy, holding incense, goes to the abbot's quarters, makes prostrations touching the mat, and invites [the abbot], saying: 'This morning at noon, a vegetable meal will be prepared in the cloud hall especially for the newly appointed upādhyāya. We humbly hope your compassion will deign to grace us with your presence.' He goes again before the newly appointed [abbot] and bows to invite him with the same ceremony as before. The abbot's quarters' guest prefect, together with the special envoy's postulant, requests the various dormitories to each hang up the board for serving tea and soup. Inside the Sangha hall, opposite the abbot, the seat for the newly appointed [abbot] is set. Outside the hall, at the head of the guest master's bench, the seat for the special envoy is set. The notice for tea and soup is posted on both sides outside the hall. When it is time for the midday meal, he notifies the newly appointed [abbot]. Going to the front of the Sangha hall, he waits for the abbot, and together they enter the hall and exchange greetings with folded hands. The special envoy enters the hall behind them, first bowing to the abbot to take his seat, and next bowing to the newly appointed [abbot] to take his seat. Burning incense and performing the rituals are entirely the same as before. When the food is served, the donations distributed, and the tea finished, the newly appointed [abbot]'s bowl-cup is collected first. The special envoy steps forward, makes two open-mat prostrations and three bows, and escorts the newly appointed [abbot] out the back door. The special envoy enters before the abbot, makes two open-mat prostrations and three bows, and escorts the abbot out the front door. He returns to the hall, burns incense, makes three prostrations with fully spread mat, circumambulates the hall once, and, including the outer hall, returns to the centre to greet with folded hands. The bowl-cups are collected, the drum is struck three times, and they leave their seats. That evening, the hot tonic, fruits, the evening medicine meal, and the companion seating are as before.

3.22

The Monastery Entertains the One Who Accepted the Invitation and the Special Envoy

3.23

In the bedchamber hall, the primary seat for the abbot is arranged. Opposite it, in the middle position, the seat for the newly appointed [abbot] is placed, with the special envoy's seat to the left. The two ranks and the retired officers accompany them in the left and right positions. The distribution of donations and performance of rituals are as before.

3.24

The One Who Accepted the Invitation Takes Leave of the Assembly, Ascends the Seat, and Has Tea and Soup

3.25

The one who accepted the invitation has his attendant, together with the special envoy, go in advance to the abbot's quarters to report and request the loan of the dharma seat to ascend the hall and take leave of the assembly. The seat is not furnished. To the left, the abbot's seat is arranged. The drum is struck to assemble the community. The abbot comes out and takes his seat. The one who accepted the invitation goes directly before the abbot to greet him with folded hands, and next pays homage with folded hands to the great assembly. He ascends the seat, delivers his discourse, and when finished, descends from the seat. He first takes leave of the abbot with three prostrations touching the mat. Next, facing the dharma seat, he takes leave of the assembly with three universal prostrations touching the mat. At the doorway facing inward, a special seat is arranged in the middle to serve tea and soup. The two ranks and retired officers serve as companions. The senior administrator performs the ritual in the same manner as for the incumbent [abbot]. The great bell is struck to see him off. For a west hall [elder] or prefect of lower rank, there is no ascending the hall to take leave of the assembly. When about to depart, he first goes up to the abbot's quarters together with the special envoy, places incense [in the burner], makes three prostrations touching the mat to announce his departure, and next goes around the dormitories to say farewell. The tea and soup ritual at the monastery gate is the same as before.

3.26

Entering the Monastery

3.27

The ancients carried their packs on their waists and wore conical bamboo hats on their heads. Arriving at the front of the monastery gate, they took off their hats. Entering the gate, they burned incense, with dharma words. Going before the Sangha hall, they untied their packs, washed their feet in a screened place, took out their robes, and put them on. Entering the hall, they burned incense and made three prostrations with fully spread mat before the sacred monk, their traveling companions bowing together with them. Having hung up their bags, they went to the Buddha hall, offered incense with dharma words, and made three prostrations with fully spread mat. Next, they burned incense in the earth spirits' hall and the patriarchs' hall, each with dharma words. Entering the abbot's quarters, they took possession of the room with dharma words. Subsequently, they opened the hall and offered felicitations to the emperor.

3.28

Nowadays, when the newly appointed [abbot] arrives, one should consider whether his lodging place is near or far. If near, the head seat leads the assembly to go and welcome him; if far, only the two ranks and retired officers do so. The special envoy should beforehand consult and report to the abbot, who must first issue a notice excusing the assembly from welcoming him from afar. If the lodging place is near, hot tonic and fruit should be prepared, with the two ranks and retired officers accompanying him to select an auspicious day to enter the monastery. The monastery storehouse arranges everything one by one. The evening before, the board for receiving the abbot is hung to notify the assembly. When the time comes, the great bell and various dharma instruments are sounded. The assembly welcomes him at the gate, lining up in two rows from far to near. The postulants and servants stand outside the assembly. When the newly appointed [abbot] arrives at the gate, he burns incense and speaks dharma words. Arriving at the Buddha hall, he burns incense, speaks dharma words, and makes three prostrations with fully spread mat. The Sangha hall bell is sounded. The assembly first returns to their bowl-places and stands firm. The newly appointed [abbot] enters the hall and burns incense; his traveling companions together make three open-mat prostrations. The karmadāna greets him facing him and leads him to circumambulate the hall once. The traveling companions exit first. The two ranks escort the newly appointed [abbot] to his bowl-place, where he makes three prostrations touching the mat. Next, he goes to the earth spirits' hall and patriarchs' hall to burn incense, each with dharma words. He enters the abbot's quarters to take possession of the room. The attendants step forward, burn incense, greet with folded hands, and stand to the side waiting. When he has finished speaking the dharma words, the postulants bring forward a table, brush, and inkstone. The administrators prepare a certificate (the model appears below) with a tray and wrapping cloth, and present the monastery seal. The newly appointed [abbot] inspects the seal impression, hands it to an administrator to unseal it, and inspects the seal script. When finished, he first signs and puts his mark upon the certificate, next inscribes the date, and applies the seal upon it. The administrators collect the certificate; the robe-and-bowl attendant collects the seal; and the table is removed. The abbot rises. The entire staff of administrators advances and lines up, the senior one places incense [in the burner], and they make two open-mat prostrations and three bows. In the first opening, the words are: 'With compassion, we are blessed that the upādhyāya illustriously takes possession of the dharma seat; our humble sentiments cannot bear our supreme joy.' In the second opening, the words are: 'At this present season, we respectfully ponder in unison: may the newly appointed hall head great upādhyāya be blessed with abundant good fortune in his esteemed daily life.' They make three prostrations touching the mat. The [abbots of] other mountains, prefects, and retired officers step forward and place incense (the incense is not received). When the informal congratulations are finished, the guest prefect postulant calls out: 'We invite the [abbots of] other mountains, the two ranks, and the retired officers to take their seats for the offering of hot tonic.' When the hot tonic is finished, official guests and those from other mountains are invited to take refreshments. If the former abbot has been transferred elsewhere and has not yet departed, or has retired to the eastern hall, before [the new abbot] takes possession of the room, they perform the handover ritual. After the newly appointed [abbot] has received the informal congratulations, the Sangha hall bell is sounded, and leading the assembly, he personally escorts the former abbot back to his dormitory, where they make one mutual prostration touching the mat. Next, the head seat and the assembly offer congratulations, and the postulants and servants must all pay their respects.

3.29

Certificate Presenting the Monastery Seal: Monk So-and-so of the storehouse of this monastery: one monastery seal.

3.30

The above is respectfully submitted to: The newly appointed hall head great upādhyāya, humbly awaiting your compassionate command. Year, month, day. Certificate of So-and-so with titles.

3.31

The Monastery Invites the Newly Appointed [Abbot] to a Midday Meal

3.32

The senior administrator waits until after the taking possession of the room, when greetings are somewhat concluded, prepares a tray, wrapping cloth, incense burner, and candles, draws up a certificate (the model appears below), and holding incense goes to the abbot's quarters to invite him to the midday meal with two open-mat prostrations and three bows. In the first opening, he says: 'At noon, we have prepared a vegetable meal in the cloud hall to welcome you. We humbly hope your revered compassion will specially deign to grace us with your presence. Our humble sentiments cannot bear our utmost trembling and trepidation.' In the second opening, he inquires after his health. He makes three prostrations touching the mat. The abbot returns one prostration. The administrator presents the certificate, and the abbot's quarters' guest prefect receives it. The storehouse's guest prefect arranges the abbot's seat inside the Sangha hall. The performance of the ritual is the same as for special hospitality.

3.33

Monk So-and-so of the storehouse of this monastery: The aforesaid So-and-so, taking the noon hour,

3.34

has prepared a vegetable meal in the cloud hall to welcome you. We humbly hope your revered compassion will specially deign to grace us with your presence.

3.35

Year, month, day. Certificate of So-and-so with titles.

3.36

On the envelope of the certificate for the meal: Respectfully inviting the newly appointed [etc., as above], before the revered seat. With titles, respectfully

3.37

sealed.

3.38

Opening the Hall and Felicitating the Emperor's Longevity

3.39

In ancient times, when an imperial decree to open the hall came down, an official was either dispatched to urge and invite, or an envoy from a ministry, or a commandery or prefecture sent gifts and ceremonially invited [the master] to a certain monastery; or the monastery itself was given funds by officials to provide a meal and open the hall. Each official had his own invitation missive and notices for tea, soup, and so forth, as seen in the collected writings of famous personages. In recent times, opening the hall is mostly provided by each monastery itself. When the time comes, the attendant for entering the monastery instructs the postulants to set up the dharma seat, and notifies the assembly by hanging the board for ascending the hall, fully writing the names and titles of officials and those of other mountains. He presents it beforehand to the abbot. To the left of the seat, a place is arranged, with a table cloth, incense burner, and candles spread out, and the missives and placards lined up. He confers in advance with the karmadāna to proclaim the official documents, with the head seat to proclaim the monastery's missive, and with the lower-ranking prefects or prominent guests from other mountains and the broader monastic community to proclaim the remaining missives, and invites in advance one person from another mountain to strike the mallet. Before the seat, facing it, the places for the officials are arranged. The attendant notifies the abbot's quarters. The drum is struck, and the assembly gathers. The attendant, together with the special envoy, enters to invite the abbot out, escorted and led by cymbals, banners, flowers, and carrying lanterns. He stands before his place in the dharma hall. If he did not take up his robe when he accepted the invitation, he should now speak dharma words. After donning the robe, the special envoy steps forward, inserts incense, and performs the ritual. In the first opening [of the mat], he says: 'Today, we are humbly blessed that the upādhyāya has already taken possession of the dharma seat; our humble sentiments cannot bear our supreme gratitude.' In the second opening, after inquiring after his health, he makes three prostrations touching the mat. The abbot returns one prostration. [The envoy] first presents the official documents, and after [the abbot] has spoken dharma words, they are handed to the karmadāna to proclaim aloud. Next, the missives of the monastery, other mountains, and the broader monastic community are handed up one by one with dharma words, and distributed to be proclaimed and read. If an incumbent official who requested the opening of the hall has a missive, he personally presents it, and after dharma words are spoken, it is proclaimed. [The abbot] points to the dharma seat with dharma words, ascends the seat, and offers incense to felicitate the emperor. Next, he offers incense for the Imperial Preceptor, the Secretarial Council, the Bureau of Buddhist and Tibetan Affairs, the Censorate, and the civil and military officials of the commanderies and prefectures. The attendant hands him the incense sticks one by one. Only the incense for his Dharma transmission does the abbot take out from his bosom and insert into the burner himself. He gathers his robes and sits cross-legged. The attendant burns incense, descends from the seat, and greets with folded hands. When the two ranks have stepped out from their rows and greeted with folded hands, the attendant ascends the seat again, burns incense, and greets with folded hands, the ritual being the same as for ascending the hall on the new moon and full moon. The abbots of other mountains who escorted him into the monastery also step forward and greet with folded hands. The abbot should have the attendant invite the officials to be seated. The senior person from another mountain steps forward to strike the mallet; striking the mallet once, he says: 'Assembly of dragons and elephants at the dharma banquet, contemplate the foremost truth!' The abbot delivers his discourse, engages in questions and answers, summarizes the essential teachings, and expresses thanks to the officials and those from other mountains, saying: 'Today's opening of the hall is solely for felicitating the emperor; I dare not use many words to discourse at length.' The special envoy, the two ranks, and the retired officers are briefly mentioned; a detailed discourse is reserved for the small convocation. Concluding the session, the person who strikes the mallet strikes it once again and proclaims: 'Clearly contemplate the Dharma of the Dharma King; the Dharma of the Dharma King is like this!' Descending from the seat, [the abbot] first receives the congratulations of the officials. The administrators receive and escort them to the guest quarters. The guest prefect postulant immediately brings forward the incense burner and candles, lining them up in a row before the seat. The special envoy inserts incense, makes two open-mat prostrations, and three bows. The hall office postulant calls out: 'Greetings from other mountains!' Next he calls out: 'Greetings from the west hall!' After open-mat rituals, he calls out: 'Greetings from the administrators!' with two open-mat prostrations and three bows. He calls out again: 'Greetings from the head seat and the great assembly!' The retired officers, the infirmary hall, former officers, and the various dormitories insert incense together, and together with the assembly make two open-mat prostrations and three bows. When those from the manors, storehouse, hermitages, and stupas, Dharma relatives, fellow provincials, and temporary visitors have completed their open-mat congratulations, [the abbot] takes his seat. The attendants and disciple novices insert incense and make three prostrations with fully spread mat. Next, the office postulants insert incense and bow. Next, the chief postulant leads the assembly of postulants to insert incense and bow. Next, the hall attendants, sedan-chair bearers, manor heads, foremen, veteran workers, and servants pay their respects. When finished, the abbot immediately goes to the guest quarters to express thanks to the officials and those from other mountains. Subsequently, he makes the rounds of the dormitories. The various dormitories should arrange incense tables, burners, candles, and seating, each maintaining proper decorum, waiting outside the dormitory for the abbot to arrive. The dormitory host first stands at the lower position before the door, welcomes him in, invites him to sit cross-legged, and inserts incense. The abbot returns the incense, briefly inquires after his health, expresses thanks, and is escorted out. The infirmary hall, former officers, and communal dormitory all line up at the lower position outside the doors, welcoming and escorting him together.

3.40

The Monastery's Special Hospitality of Tea and Soup for the Newly Appointed [Abbot]

3.41

The notice for tea and soup is posted in advance between the upper and lower bays in front of the Sangha hall. The storehouse again prepares an invitation certificate (the model appears below), complete with tray, wrapping cloth, incense burner, and candles, goes to the abbot's quarters, inserts incense, and bows to invite him. If excused, he makes prostrations touching the mat and reports, saying: 'After the midday meal, tea will be served in the cloud hall for special hospitality. We humbly hope your compassion will grace us with your presence.' Having reported, he presents the certificate. He then directs the guest prefect to invite the two ranks, retired officers, and the great assembly to accompany him, and hangs the tea-serving (or soup-serving) board to notify the assembly. Inside the Sangha hall, the abbot's seat is arranged. (Recently, at the time of the midday meal, upon hearing the long board sound, administrators enter the hall, burn incense, make open-mat prostrations, and circumambulate the hall once to invite people to tea; however, as this is to offer congratulations specially for the abbot, and the ancient rules also have no ritual of circumambulating the hall to invite the assembly, it is appropriate to omit this.) When the meal is over, the drum is struck to assemble the community. The administrators bow to the abbot to enter the hall, proceed to their seats, bow to sit, and burn a stick of incense. Before the abbot, they bow over the incense, circle behind the sacred monk, return to the center to greet with folded hands, and stand. Tea is served everywhere, and the ewers are taken out. They go before the abbot, bow for tea, step back, and exiting to the right behind the sacred monk, burn incense and make three open-mat prostrations. Rising, [the senior administrator] leads the whole staff before the abbot to make two open-mat prostrations and three bows, and escorts him out. Returning again to the hall, he burns incense, greets the upper and lower bays with folded hands, collects the bowl-cups, and leaves the seat. The ritual for soup is the same as that for tea, except that there is no escorting the abbot out of the hall. When the soup is finished, they remain in their seats for the evening medicine meal.

3.42

"Bhikṣu [so-and-so] of the monastery storehouse of this temple. The above person states: on the occasion of concluding this morning's noon meal,

3.43

[Invitation Form] / in the evening hours, we shall offer tea and hot tonic in the cloud hall to express our ceremony of congratulation. We humbly hope

3.44

that your venerable benevolence will specially deign to bestow your esteemed presence."

3.45

Form: "[Year, Month, Day], presented by [official rank, name]."

3.46

The envelope follows the form of the noon-meal invitation.

3.47

Small Convocation on the Same Evening

3.48

When the noon meal is over, the attendant reports to the abbot, saying: "Tonight there is a small convocation." He orders the guest prefect to notify the assembly and hang the small convocation board. He writes down in full: the special envoys, the two ranks, the retired officers, the infirmary hall, the former officers, the various dormitories, the manors, storehouses, hermitages, and pagodas, newly arrived guests staying in the hall, the attendants of the abbot's quarters, the traveling monks, as well as visiting officials and guests from other monasteries who are staying overnight. He lists each item one by one to present in advance for reporting. When the evening bell tolls, the attendant reports to the abbot's quarters; after the board is struck, the drum is sounded once. The assembly gathers, and the two ranks take their positions and stand firm. The abbot comes out and ascends the rostrum. After giving instructions, engaging in questions and answers, presenting the essential themes, and expressing thanks, the postulant holds a candle, and the attendant presents the list of names so that full details can be addressed. The abbot descends from the rostrum, and the guest prefect postulant calls out: "The hall head upādhyāya invites the upādhyāyas of other monasteries, the two ranks, the west hall, the retired officers, the infirmary hall, the attendants, and the traveling monks to proceed immediately to the guest hall to be served hot tonic." The administrators escort the official guests back to the guest quarters for hot tonic and fruit.

3.49

Ascending the Rostrum for the Monastery's Founding Donor

3.50

The administrators must report to the abbot the evening before. The next morning, the attendant orders the guest prefect to hang the board for ascending the hall to notify the assembly. The monastery storehouse dispatches personnel to solemnly arrange the ancestral shrine and make offerings. After congee is over, he specially ascends the hall on their behalf, and having concluded presenting the purpose of the event, he expounds the Dharma and descends from the rostrum. Gathering the assembly, they proceed to the ancestral shrine, burn incense, and make offerings of tea and hot tonic. The karmadāna leads the chanting of sūtras for dedication of merit.

3.51

Entertaining the Special Envoy

3.52

The administrators report to the abbot in advance to deliberate on the amount of donations and gifts for the special envoy and the one who proclaimed the certificate of appointment. The abbot's quarters prepares the gifts and donations, which must be appropriate to the occasion. On the appointed day, curtains and scrolls are hung and seats are arranged in the sleeping hall. The two ranks and retired officers are invited to accompany the guest as honors. A seat of special hospitality is set up. The guest-inviting attendant personally invites the main guest, while for the rest, the abbot's quarters guest prefect reports and invites them. The ritual is the same as the customary special hospitality.

3.53

Requesting the Two Ranks to Remain in Office

3.54

When the entertainment of the special envoy is concluded, the two ranks wait to go together to the abbot's quarters to request permission to retire from office; the abbot should not hastily grant it. The attendant orders the guest prefect postulant to prepare hot tonic utensils, trays, wrapping cloths, an incense burner, and candles. The abbot takes an attendant to the monastery storehouse and various dormitories to urge them to remain. The dormitory hosts report first and welcome the abbot. Entering, they part to take their seats. The attendant burns incense and serves hot tonic. The abbot exerts full courtesy to urge them to stay. If their terms have fully expired, they must also be patient and wait until the abbot is slightly more at leisure before reporting their resignations again.

3.55

Reporting Thanks and Departures and Returns

3.56

Whenever officials, donors, and monks from various monasteries have escorted the abbot into the monastery, etiquette requires that he pay visits of thanks. He should also pay courtesy calls on the local commandery and county government offices. If he resides in a forest monastery and travels far, he orders a postulant to convey word to notify the monastery storehouse, the head seat, and the karmadāna. If he has been away for a long time, the administrators inquire and look out for his return date, ordering the hall office to hang the board for welcoming the upādhyāya to notify the assembly. The bell is sounded, and they welcome him at the gate. The abbot sends word beforehand to dispense with this. He proceeds immediately to burn incense at the Buddha hall and the earth spirits hall. The head seat leads the assembly to the abbot's quarters to greet him with folded hands. The assembly withdraws, and the two ranks and retired officers are retained; after hot tonic is served, they disperse. The attendants and the duty postulants of the abbot's quarters insert incense and make prostrations. Next, the head postulant leads the postulants to make prostrations. When finished, the abbot must make rounds of the dormitories to return the courtesy. If the monastery is in a city or adjacent to the suburbs, where comings and goings in the morning and evening have no set time, these rites need not be carried out. Or, if he returns quietly to the abbot's quarters, the two ranks and retired officers should all go to the abbot's quarters to inquire after his health. When Upādhyāya Wuzhun resided at Mount Jingshan, his fundraising tasks entailed frequent comings and goings. Whenever he caught the time of the noon meal or morning congee, he went straight back to the Sangha hall. Having eaten alongside the assembly, the abbot's quarters guest prefect waited until the sacred monk's attendant struck the gavel for leaving the hall; as the assembly was about to step down from the platforms, he called out: "Assembly, please stand for a moment while the upādhyāya of the abbot's quarters inspects the hall." The abbot burned incense, made one circuit around the hall, and left the hall. The guest prefect called out again: "The upādhyāya conveys word that the assembly need not trouble themselves to visit him." The two ranks and retired officers should likewise go to the abbot's quarters to greet him with folded hands.

3.57

Handover of Deeds and Utensils

3.58

After entering the monastery, the abbot must convene the two ranks and retired officers for tea, inquiring in detail about the monastery's affairs, the property deeds, and utensils, checking and handing them over item by item. He must calculate the funds and grains; the registers must be clear so as to guard against malpractice, taking care to examine everything thoroughly.

3.59

Receiving Offerings of Decotions from the Two Ranks and Retired Officers

3.60

On the appointed day, the head seat, administrators, and retired officers proceed to the abbot's quarters, insert incense, and prostrate to invite the abbot; next they invite the attendants and his personal disciples. The central seat in the abbot's sleeping hall is prepared for the abbot. The seats of the two ranks and retired officers are arranged as usual. After the attendants lead the personal disciples to greet the abbot with folded hands, the two ranks and retired officers take their seats at the lower end. At the appointed time, the head seat invites the abbot to come out, bows him to his seat, and conducts the ritual. If the full ritual is waived, they merely burn incense, step forward to greet him with folded hands, and present the gifts. The head seat, prior, and a retired officer act as leaders; the three greet him with folded hands and return to their seats. When eating is finished, the head seat rises and burns incense; if the full ritual is waived, they remain seated and drink tea. When old acquaintances from other monasteries and the administrative Dharma relatives or personal disciples invite the abbot to an offering of decotions in the sleeping hall, the ritual is the same, but the height of the seats arranged for the hosts is weighed according to the occasion.

3.61

Retirement from the Abbotship

3.62

If the abbot is old and sick, or mentally and physically exhausted, or if conditions are not favorable, he should naturally know to retire. The funds and property of the permanent assets must be clearly accounted for in registers. The utensils of the abbot's quarters must be checked and handed over, with two identical copies of an inventory drawn up. The abbot, the two ranks, and the retired officers sign and endorse them, stamping them with the monastery seal; the abbot and the monastery storehouse each keep one copy for reference. They jointly request one person to guard the abbot's quarters. On the day of retirement, the abbot ascends the hall, expresses thanks, bids farewell to the assembly, and descends from the rostrum. The drum is struck three times, and he retires. If he remains at the monastery to reside in the East Hall to assist and advise the abbot, he must be treated with full etiquette and warm consideration. When Emperor Lizong of the Song used the vegetable garden of Lingyin Monastery to build a monastery for Consort Yan, Abbot Chijue Chong resigned from the monastery on the very day, carrying his pack and rain hat himself to travel to Mount Lu. An envoy was dispatched to ask him to stay, but he did not return. Such high integrity will endure for thousands of years; who can succeed to it?

First 62 of 136 passages. Read on

Translations (1)

The Baizhang Zen Monastic Regulations — Shohei Ichimura 2006, English

Linked texts (1)

勅修百丈清規 — Classical Chinese