勅修百丈清規 3.64

3.64

When manifesting illness and feeling seriously afflicted, the abbot should invite the two ranks and retired officers in advance to inspect, seal up, and secure his robes, bowl, and personal effects, leaving them in the abbot's quarters. Prudent postulants and servants are assigned to guard them, awaiting their valuation and auction. If there are items designated for distribution, it must be done fairly, so that unequal favors and grudges do not lead to later disputes. If his robes and bowl are meager, simplicity and frugality must be observed. In his final instructions, his personal disciples must not wear mourning hemp or wail bitterly. The head seat is invited to preside over the funeral, and all elaborate Buddhist services are dispensed with; they only chant the impermanence verse and send off the deceased monk according to the ritual for an ordinary monk, avoiding expense to the permanent assets and toil for the assembly. If the abbot has rendered great service to the monastery, and the community cherishes his legacy of kindness, or if his robes and bowl are relatively abundant, the funeral rites should be performed according to standard protocol. If there are testamentary letters for officials, donors, various monasteries, and Dharma relatives, they should be sent immediately.