勅修百丈清規 7.136

7.136

After the festive and seasonal tea in the Sangha hall is completed, the attendant and the guest prefect proceed to the postulants' hall to offer tea. The guest prefect notifies the head postulant in advance to hang the tea-offering plaque to announce to the assembly, boil water, set out the cups, and invite the chief cook to grace the assembly as a companion. The abbot's quarters delivers the tea in advance. When the attendant arrives at the monastery storehouse, the chief cook welcomes him in. The head postulant and the hall master lead the assembly of postulants to welcome him at the gate. The attendant occupies the host's position, representing the abbot. The chief cook takes the position to the right. The attendant steps to the center and burns a stick of incense, returns to his position, and gestures with his hands to bow the assembly to their seats. When the tea is finished, the chief cook escorts him out. The head postulant and the hall master see him off at the gate, and immediately proceed to the abbot's quarters to give thanks for the tea.