[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Buddhist Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha) › [Taishō Tripiṭaka (Chinese Buddhist canon)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho) › [勅修百丈清規](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025) › [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025~en-mt) › 3.19 # 勅修百丈清規 3.19 English (machine translation) 3.19 - **Language:** English ### [3.19](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025~en-mt.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. - [Previous: 3.18](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025~en-mt.3.18) - [Next: 3.20](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025~en-mt.3.20) - [Up: 3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025~en-mt.3) ## Linked texts (1) - [勅修百丈清規](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025.3.19) — Classical Chinese --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025~en-mt.3.19](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025~en-mt.3.19) · Pramāṇa