勅修百丈清規 4.68

4.68

This matter is weighty and serious and must not be undertaken lightly. If there is a renowned and virtuous head seat from the great quarters or the west hall whose practice and understanding have long commanded the assembly's reverence, one should state the request with utmost earnestness. If he shows willingness, the abbot specially ascends the hall and says: "There are many in this community; we ought to find the right person to join with us in establishing the Dharma banner and opening the great forge. Fortunately, in this mountain [monastery] we have so-and-so, whose understanding is lofty and bright, and in whom the life of wisdom resides. In a short while I shall descend from the seat, and together with the two ranks and the great assembly, bow to invite him to open his chamber for the community. We humbly hope that out of compassion he will specially deign to grant his assent." Descending from the seat, the abbot's quarters postulant carries the two placards for Entering the Chamber and General Sermon on a tray covered with a cloth. Then, beneath the seat, together with the great assembly, they bow and invite him, the words being: "The great assembly looks up with devotion and has long yearned for your instruction. We humbly hope that out of compassion you will specially deign to grant your assent." The invited person then goes to the abbot's quarters, burns incense, and makes prostrations touching the mat in thanks, saying: "Fortunately having found shelter here, I had sought only to conceal my ineptitude. Now that I have been nominated, I dare not refuse." The abbot responds: "The Buddha Dharma is entrusted with heavy responsibility; we look up and beg your kind favor." When the thanks are concluded, the hall office postulant strikes the Sangha hall bell. The great assembly escorts him back to his dormitory. The abbot and he exchange a single prostration touching the mat, and the abbot sees him out. Next, he exchanges greetings with folded hands with the great assembly. The karmadāna goes to the dormitory to consult and request one attendant, hangs up the placard for the General Sermon, and prepares in advance the illuminated hall, Chan chair, fly whisk, staff, incense burner, and candles. The drum is struck once. The assembly gathers and stands firm. The standing monk takes his place. The karmadāna steps out of the rank to burn incense, and together with the great assembly bows again to extend the invitation. The standing monk sits cross-legged, and the two ranks greet him with folded hands. The abbot greets him with folded hands. When the standing monk's general sermon is finished, the karmadāna, together with the great assembly, bows again to extend thanks. The standing monk immediately takes incense in his sleeve and goes to the abbot's quarters to express thanks, making two unfoldings [of the mat] and three prostrations, saying: "Having received your command, I have forced myself to undertake it. Your compassion has embraced my failings; I am overwhelmed with shame and trepidation." He also proceeds to the monastery storehouse and the various dormitories to greet them with folded hands. The abbot's quarters prepares a simple meal, and invites him to a special hospitality of hot broth and the evening meal. In the evening, hot broth and fruit are served, with the two ranks gracing [the table] as companions. The standing monk's attendant attends the feast. The following day, the abbot invites him to a special tea in the Sangha hall. The guest-inviting attendant prepares the tea notice (the format is seen below), goes to the dormitory, inserts incense, and bows to invite him; the etiquette is the same as that for the special hospitality for a new head seat. The standing monk ought to hold a special tea for the head seat and the great assembly; the etiquette is the same as that when the front hall holds a special [tea] for the rear hall and the great assembly. On another day, the abbot's quarters provides hospitality, inviting the two ranks to grace [the table] as companions.