[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Buddhist Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha) › [Taishō Tripiṭaka (Chinese Buddhist canon)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho) › [勅修百丈清規](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025) › [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025~en-mt) › 6.6 # 勅修百丈清規 6.6 English (machine translation) 6.6 - **Language:** English ### [6.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025~en-mt.6.6) Nowadays, in monastic groves where there are large assemblies, they still specially conduct evening instruction to preserve the ancient meaning; this is called the 'grand sitting for instruction.' It is the same as the regular sitting for instruction, but when the head seat enters the hall he does not burn incense, but immediately returns to his position to await the abbot entering the hall and sitting settled. The postulant of the hall office strikes the board in front of the head seat's dormitory three times. The great assembly turns their bodies to sit facing outwards. The head seat steps down to the ground, exits through the rear door, turns and enters through the front door again, burns incense before the sacred monk as usual, patrols the hall, returns to his bedding-place, and sits for a short while. If the abbot gives evening instruction, the bell in front of the hall is not struck; the guest prefect of the abbot's quarters strikes the dharma drum three times. The abbot exits the hall; the head seat leads the assembly, following him to the dharma hall or the back hall. The abbot takes his seat; the attendants, the two ranks, and the western and eastern halls each step forward from their ranks, greet with folded hands, and when the instruction is finished, the assembly disperses and returns to their dormitories for the medicine-meal. If there is no evening instruction, the postulant of the hall office advances before the head seat, greets with folded hands, and says: 'The hall head upādhyāya releases instruction this evening.' He turns behind the sacred monk, exits to the right, and directs the food-announcing postulant to stand in the center, greet with folded hands, and call out in a drawn-out voice: 'Instruction is released!' Strike the bell in front of the hall three times. The great assembly steps down to the ground and universally greets with folded hands. The head seat exits the hall first, then the abbot exits, and the prefects exit. The assembly each pulls out their full bedding and returns to the communal dormitory for the medicine-meal. When conducting this practice, one must practice one instruction and one release, so that later learners will know of it. Every day, if for some reason there is no sitting for instruction, the offering-attendant postulant pulls out half the bedding on behalf of the head seat, together with the great assembly. At evening, strike the board in front of the communal dormitory three times. The assembly exits the dormitory and returns to the hall. When the dusk bell rings (if residing in a city, wait for the drum to sound), the prefects enter the hall. The head seat waits for the bell to ring, enters, burns incense, and patrols the hall. Next, the abbot enters, burns incense, and patrols the hall. Waiting for the settling bell to ring, the abbot exits the hall, and next the prefects exit. If sitting in meditation is requested again, the abbot enters through the rear door, returns to his place, and does not patrol the hall. The prefects follow the assembly. Those who use the toilet return immediately to their bedding-places. In the depth of the night, the abbot exits. Hearing the sound of the head seat unlocking the pillow, the assembly only then lies down to rest; brothers in the Way are not bound by this. The next morning, when the three strokes of the board sound, the assembly rises. The sacred monk's attendant pulls the towel-pulley inside the hall to startle those sleeping soundly. Having risen and washed faces, the assembly has already returned to the hall. The head seat enters, burns incense, and patrols the hall. Next, the abbot enters, burns incense, and patrols the hall. When the fourth drum sounds, the abbot exits; when the bell rings, the head seat exits. Next, the prefects and the great assembly temporarily exit through the rear door, change robes and head-sleeves, use the toilet, and immediately return to guard their bedding-places. Or the head seat re-enters the hall to patrol the bedding-places. When the bell ceases and the board for releasing quiet sounds, the assembly only then folds their quilts. Only the head seat's quilt is folded by the offering attendant. The assembly each exits the hall as they please; bowing and chanting are also cultivated alongside. - [Previous: 6.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025~en-mt.6.5) - [Next: 6.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025~en-mt.6.7) - [Up: 6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025~en-mt.6) ## Linked texts (1) - [勅修百丈清規](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025.6.6) — Classical Chinese --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025~en-mt.6.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2025~en-mt.6.6) · Pramāṇa