勅修百丈清規 4.96

4.96

When the abbot's special hospitality of tea is concluded, the next morning the new head seat takes incense in his sleeve, goes to the abbot's quarters, and bows in invitation, saying, "After the midday meal, I will offer tea in the cloud hall as a special hospitality for the rear hall head seat and the general assembly. I humbly hope for your compassionate condescension to attend." He prepares an invitation card (format seen below), readies a tray, cloth, censer, and candles, goes to the quarters of the rear hall head seat, burns incense, and bows in invitation, saying, "This morning after the midday meal, tea will be offered in the cloud hall as a special hospitality. We humbly hope you will lower your dignity to attend." Having presented the invitation card, the host directs his dormitory's tea master to pass it to the offering attendant to paste in the lower bay in front of the Sangha hall, with the envelope affixed before the card. Next, he orders the hall office postulants to notify the assembly and hang up the tea-offering plaque. The long board is struck, and an invitation to tea is made throughout the Sangha hall. (The striking of the drum to assemble the community and the performance of protocol are all the same as the ordinary special hospitality protocol.)