勅修百丈清規 7.88

7.88

According to ancient tradition, during the four festivals there are three sittings of hot tonic served. The first sitting is divided into two sections: [the abbot] offers special hospitality to the east hall and west hall, inviting the head seats to accompany as honoured guests. The second sitting is divided into four sections: the prefects form the first section, the administrators the second, the retired officers of the western rank the third, and the retired officers of the eastern rank the fourth, with the west hall accompanying as honoured guests. The third sitting is usually divided into six sections: those managing affairs of this monastery and those managing affairs from other monasteries are seated according to seniority of their offices, followed by those of equal office; the head seat accompanies as honoured guest. The attendant's office prepares a draft seating chart in advance and submits it to the abbot's quarters for deliberation and determination. On the appointed day, the placard of names is written accordingly. In the afternoon, tables and cloths are arranged for the first, second, and third sittings and set out in the lower bay of the bedchamber hall. For the east and west halls, the front hall head seat, and the prior, the guest-inviting attendant goes to each dormitory, makes a prostration touching the mat, and invites them, saying: 'The hall head upādhyāya invites you this evening to the bedchamber hall to offer you hot tonic as special hospitality.' For the other prefects, managers of affairs, and notable monks, the abbot's quarters guest prefect postulant invites them, saying: 'Before the evening assembly, the upādhyāya of the abbot's quarters invites you to the bedchamber hall to offer you hot tonic as special hospitality.' Seats are arranged and signs posted in the bedchamber hall. When the candles are lit and the incense is set out, the guest prefect postulant reports to the attendants, who then report to the abbot, and the drum is sounded. When the guests for the first sitting gather, the attendant bows and leads them in. They greet the abbot with folded hands and take their assigned places according to the placard, standing firm. The incense-burning attendant and guest-inviting attendant divide and proceed before the guests of honour, bowing in greeting along the ranks and inviting them to sit. They return to their positions and stand side by side. The incense-burning attendant steps forward, burns incense, and returns to his position; together with the guest-inviting attendant, he turns around, and they go in separate directions to bow in greeting along the ranks to invite [the appreciation of] the incense. They wait for two strikes of the wooden clapper, and the hot tonic is served to all. After bowing in greeting along the ranks for the hot tonic, the incense-burning attendant steps forward to burn incense for the accompanying guests. The wooden clapper is struck once, the bowls are collected, and five strikes of the drum signal dismissal from the seats. The etiquette for all three sittings is identical. In the monastic grove, hot tonic and tea are solemn rituals; recently, however, because of frequent disputes over rank and precedence, this practice has been abandoned. Abbots should diligently implement it, and experienced seniors across the rivers and lakes should diligently encourage it, so that future generations will know the proper model.