勅修百丈清規 3.91

3.91

When the chief mourner arrives, the great bell is rung. The assembly gathers at the gate to welcome him. Proceeding before the shrine, he burns incense, and the head seat and the great assembly greet him with folded hands. When the assembly disperses, the two ranks and the retired officers accompany him to the guest quarters. They plant incense and perform the prostrations. The chief mourner occupies the host position. The head seat separates hands [from sleeves], settles in his seat, personally rises to burn incense, returns to his position, and offers tea. The junior disciples then line up in front, plant incense, and make three full prostrations. The staff of the abbot's quarters and the head postulant leading the communal postulants burn incense and make prostrations in succession. Afterwards, the servants of the abbot's quarters pay their respects, and when this is concluded, hot decoction is offered. They escort the two ranks out. The monastery storehouse prepares refreshments. The two ranks graciously accompany him as he inspects the dormitories in sequence. As a rule, the chief mourner must be an experienced, senior monk of renown and virtue. Just as Yuanwu acted as chief mourner for Upādhyāya Kaifu Ning and received Yue'an Guo to succeed to his Dharma, this may serve as an exemplar.