勅修百丈清規 7.67

7.67

In the beginning of the fourth month, after awaiting the assembly's visit to the abbot's quarters to express gratitude for admission, the hall office's diagrams and registers are settled. The dormitory head, according to the precepts, arranges the scripture cabinet diagram, the tea and hot water greeting diagram, the pure assembly ordination seniority board, the board of seniority for entering the dormitory, the head-shaving board, and the diagram for the servers of pitchers and cups of tea and hot water during the summer (brothers forming karmic connections write their names as they wish). Once the diagrams are completed, when the great assembly bows in veneration, all are posted in the passageway. On the afternoon of the twelfth day, the hall office postulant reports to the abbot and the two ranks. The various dormitories hang scripture-chanting boards to announce to the assembly. The dormitory head sprinkles and sweeps the communal dormitory and prepares an invitation sheet in advance (seen below), posted on the lower bay before the dormitory, inviting the venerable assembly of the entire dormitory. For the special hospitality hot water, arrange the display board; set out offerings before Guanyin; arrange incense burners and candleholders in the upper and lower bays. Boil the hot water in advance; the dormitory head personally delivers it to the abbot's quarters, and directs the tea master to deliver it to the various dormitories. When all is finished, strike the small board inside the dormitory. First hold the hot water service for the minor seats, also setting out the display board, offering special hospitality to the dormitory host, assistant dormitory host, Śūraṅgama leader, and the pitcher-and-cup servers. Invite the dormitory senior to accompany them, bow to seat them, burn incense, bow to the incense, return to positions, sit, and serve the hot water. When finished, only then strike the board before the dormitory. The dormitory senior and the great assembly take their seats. Invite the karmadāna and attendants to accompany them, sitting on opposite sides with the dormitory head, facing the dormitory senior. The great assembly sits according to precepts at the four tables. The dormitory host and assistant dormitory host make the salutations at the respective tables, all making rounds of greetings with folded hands. They take seats, bow to seat them, burn incense, and bow to the incense. Strike the board inside the dormitory twice. Serve the hot water all around and bow to the hot water. Strike the board once more to collect the cups. The dormitory senior steps before the burner to express thanks for the hot water. When finished, strike the board before the dormitory three times and withdraw from the seats. The two ranks enter the dormitory; the head seat and prior each burn incense and return to their ranks to stand. The dormitory head stands on the right outside the door, awaiting to welcome the abbot to enter, burn incense, and stand firm. The dormitory head stands at the very end of the western rank, steps forward to burn incense and bow. The Śūraṅgama leader intones the dhāraṇī. When the dedication of merit is finished, the dormitory head escorts the abbot out. On the twelfth day of the seventh month, the ritual is the same.