勅修百丈清規 6.4

6.4

After the vegetarian meal, the postulant of the hall office reports to the head seat. In front of the Sangha hall and the communal dormitory, sitting-for-instruction placards are hung respectively. Approaching dusk, incense is set and lamps are lit inside the Sangha hall. Strike the board in front of the communal dormitory: at the first stroke, the great assembly enters the hall; at the second stroke, the prefects enter in order; at the third stroke, the head seat enters (the board in front of the head seat's dormitory is not struck; however, during the grand sitting for instruction, it is struck three times). Then report to the abbot and strike the board of the abbot's quarters, the same as for sitting in meditation. In some places they do not wear the kāṣāya, which is contrary to the Dharma. The postulant of the hall office waits until the evening gruel is cooked, reports to the head seat, saying: 'Instruction is released,' turns behind the sacred monk, exits to the right, takes down the placard, and strikes the bell in front of the hall three times. The assembly, at their places, universally greets with folded hands. The abbot and the prefects exit the hall in sequence. The assembly steps down from the platform, and each pulls out half their bedding. In the past, the abbot and the prefects also returned together to the communal dormitory for the evening medicine-meal. For in ancient times, every evening they were required to seek instruction from the abbot to obtain instruction; therefore, leading the assembly, they gathered together and sat, waiting for the drum to sound before going to seek instruction, which was called 'sitting for instruction.' Because the land of Fenzhou was cold, Master Zhao abolished it, and subsequently there was the practice of 'releasing instruction.'