勅修百丈清規 6.48

6.48

After the cremation, the monastic officers, fellow townsmen, and Dharma kin together collect the bones, wrap them in a wadded silk kerchief, place them in a casket, seal it securely, and welcome them back to the Prolonging Life Hall (the character “new” is removed from the spirit tablet). Sutras are chanted at the three periods. In the afternoon of the third day, the wooden account board is displayed before the Sangha hall so that the assembly is universally informed. (If it does not conform to the established standard or contains misappropriation or fraud, one is permitted politely to report to higher and lower authorities; upon verifying the facts, it shall be rectified. If there is no factual evidence, disorderly fuss is forbidden; violators should be expelled and penalized. Those acting as abbot and monastic officers must be impartial, honest, fair, and just, taking the lead personally so as to win the compliance of the community; then all will be well.) After the wooden account board is displayed, the hall office postulants notify the assembly in advance and hang the board for sending off the ashes. When the time arrives, the bell is struck to assemble the monks and request the Buddhist ritual for raising the bones, which are escorted to the pagoda site, where the Buddhist ritual for entombment is requested. When the entombment is complete, the administrators seal the pagoda. The karmadāna intones the Great Compassion Dhāraṇī and dedicates the merit, saying: (“The merit of the preceding chanting of sutras is dedicated on behalf of the deceased Senior Monk So-and-so upon his entombment in the pagoda to adorn his place of recompense. All Buddhas of the ten directions and so forth.”) The guest master intones the Śūraṅgama Dhāraṇī with an even pitch. The sutra-chanting and dedication of merit by fellow townsmen are the same.