勅修百丈清規 6.41

6.41

an imperial festival, the mallet must not be struck; the hall administration postulant goes directly to inform the abbot and two ranks, and after congee announces in the hall: "The head seat and great assembly are requested, upon hearing the bell, to chant scriptures in the Longevity Hall." The Sangha hall bell is struck, the assembly gathers, and the karmadāna recites; it should be recited somewhat briskly, saying: "Wishing to lift the spirit casket to proceed to the grand ceremony of cremation, we rely upon the great assembly to chant the great names of all holy ones, thereby expressing parting and supporting the path to enlightenment. Recite: 'Pure Dharmakāya Vairocana Buddha.'" When finished, the abbot moves to stand at the head of the eastern rank. The karmadāna comes forward, burns incense, and requests the Buddhist rite for lifting the casket; when the recitation is finished, the postulants strike cymbals and carry the casket out to the front of the monastery gate. If there is an offering of tea and soup and turning of the casket, the casket is arranged facing inward with an incense table, and the head seat leads the assembly to line up in two rows; the karmadāna burns incense and requests the Buddhist rite, waiting for the Buddhist rite to be recited before moving. If they do not turn the casket, they proceed straight out the gate; the karmadāna stands facing inward with joined palms and leads the Rebirth Dhāraṇī, which the great assembly chants together; they exit in pairs in succession with joined palms, each holding a willow streamer. The postulants line up outside the gate, bowing their heads with joined palms; waiting until all the monks have walked past with bows, they also follow behind to send off the deceased. The karmadāna accompanies the casket, and the supervisor of affairs oversees the funeral procession.