勅修百丈清規 4.92

4.92

The abbot ascends the hall for this special hospitality, naming each person individually. When his expressions of gratitude are finished, the new and former officers bow in thanks below his seat. The guest-inviting attendant directs the guest prefect postulant to prepare the tray, cloth, censer, candles, and incense box, proceed before the new and former head seats and chief priors, burn incense, and state the invitation, saying, "The abbot upādhyāya invites you to proceed to the sleeping quarters at noon for entertainment." The guest prefect invites the remaining new and former officers and the retired officers to grace the company. In the sleeping quarters, the seats are set up and the seat-name plaques arranged. When the guests assemble, the abbot is notified. He comes out to receive them. Each enters their seat and stands according to their seat-name plaque. The incense-burning attendant and guest-inviting attendant make the rounds and bow them to their seats; then they burn incense and bring in the tables. The attendants form a rank before the abbot, greet him with folded hands, and take their positions. Hot water is served and food is presented. When it comes time to serve the rice, incense is burned; the attendants leave their seats to burn incense. When the distribution of donations and rice is finished, the tables are removed. The drum is struck to announce the tea protocol (the same as the protocol for special hospitality of hot water). The drum is struck three times to dismiss the seats. The new and former officers make two full prostrations with three bows in thanks.