勅修百丈清規 3.17

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.