勅修百丈清規 7.75

7.75

Inaugurated on the thirteenth day of the fourth month. The hall office, beforehand, according to the great assembly's ordination seniority, writes the diagram (seen below). On the day of bathing the Buddha, all the diagrams and registers are brought out together and spread before the hall. Request the recorder to compose the text of the petition. The karmadāna selects in advance someone with a resonant voice to be the Śūraṅgama leader, and leads him to the abbot's quarters and storehouse to make greetings with folded hands; refreshments are served at both. The karmadāna accompanies him. When the time comes, write out the universal dedication verse (the verse, seen below, was composed by Chan Master Zhenxie Qingliao) and post it on the left and right pillars inside the hall. Where an engraved stone stele already exists, hang the board. On the eve, the hall office postulant announces to the assembly: ('Tomorrow morning after gruel, let each be fully dignified in deportment and proceed to the main hall to inaugurate the Śūraṅgama Assembly and chant scriptures.') Then hang the scripture-chanting boards in the various dormitories. The next day after gruel, await the completion of arrangements in the hall, report to the two ranks, and next report to the abbot. Strike the board starting in front of the communal dormitory, circulating through the corridors until struck everywhere. Strike the board at the abbot's quarters. The abbot comes forth. Strike the large board before the storehouse hall three times. Sound the great bell, the Sangha hall bell, and the main hall bell. When the abbot arrives before the Buddha, burns incense, and presents tea and hot water, he returns to his place. The postulant clashes cymbals. The karmadāna bows to the abbot and the two ranks to leave their ranks and burn incense. (The great assembly does not bow; this is recorded in the old rules. In recent times, some have the great assembly make three bows together and the abbot kneel before the burner, making it identical to the rituals of imperial festivals and the Buddha's birthday. One does not know what source this derives from. Originally, the bows of the assembly, the abbot's kneeling before the burner, and the proclamation of the petition are for celebrating the imperial longevity and repaying the Buddha's benevolence, so the ritual should be strict to show special reverence. The Śūraṅgama Assembly is for praying for protection during the retreat, so the ritual may be curtailed; it is best to follow the old rules as proper.) When addressing the Buddha and proclaiming the petition are concluded, the Śūraṅgama leader chants, 'Śūraṅgama,' and the assembly responds. When concluded, still using the Sanskrit tone, chant the opening preface of the sutra. When concluded, only then intone the dhāraṇī. After the dhāraṇī, chant 'Mahā,' and the assembly responds. When concluded, the karmadāna makes the dedication of merit, saying: ('May the merit of chanting the scriptures above be dedicated to true suchness and the realm of reality, adorning the supreme Buddhahood and bodhi. Fully repaying the four kindnesses, equally aiding the three realms of existence, may sentient beings throughout the dharma realm together fulfill all-encompassing wisdom. All [buddhas] of the ten directions and three times, etc.') Every day after gruel, pause briefly and wait for the assembly to change robes. The hall office postulant reports to the two ranks, and next reports to the abbot. Then patrol the corridors, striking the boards three times each all around. If the abbot comes forth, strike the large board three times; if he does not come forth, do not strike it. Ring the Sangha hall bell and the main hall bell, but do not sound the great bell. Gather the assembly to chant the dhāraṇī. When concluded, the Śūraṅgama leader intones the universal dedication verse, and the great assembly recites in unison. If on the new or full moon, pray for imperial longevity, dedicated by the karmadāna. Continue until the seventh month (thirteenth day, when the concluding dispersal ceremony is identical; only the Śūraṅgama leader chants the final section of the end of the dhāraṇī, the karmadāna makes the dedication of merit, and they disperse).