勅修百丈清規 3.60

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.