法苑珠林 23.90

23.90

如三千威儀云。上高座讀經有五事。一當先禮佛。二當禮經法上座。三當先一足躡阿僧提上正住座。四當還向上座。五先手按座乃却座。已座有五事。一當正法衣安座。二揵稚聲絕當先讚偈唄。三當隨因緣讀。四若有不可意人不得於座上瞋恚。五若有持物施者當排下著前。又問經有五事。一當如法下床問。二不得共座問。三有解不得直當問。四不得持意念外因緣。五設解頭面著地作禮反向出戶。

As the Three Thousand Deportments states: Ascending the high seat to read sūtras involves five matters: first, one should first pay homage to the Buddha; second, one should pay homage to the senior seated monks of the scriptural Dharma; third, one should first tread on the āsana with one foot and stand upright at the seat; fourth, one should face back toward the senior seated monks; fifth, one should first press the seat with one's hands before taking the seat. Having taken the seat, there are five matters: first, one should adjust the Dharma robes and sit securely; second, when the sound of the gaṇḍī ceases, one should first chant verses and eulogies; third, one should read according to the causes and conditions; fourth, if there is a disagreeable person, one must not give rise to anger from the seat; fifth, if someone offers an object, one should set it down and place it in front. Furthermore, inquiring about sūtras involves five matters: first, one should step down from the couch in accordance with the Dharma to make the inquiry; second, one must not inquire while sharing the seat; third, having an understanding, one must not ask directly; fourth, one must not harbor thoughts of external conditions; fifth, having attained understanding, one touches head and face to the ground, pays homage, and exits the doorway backwards.