勅修百丈清規 3.21

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.