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When entering the Zen Hall, hold your hands in Shashu position and step forward with your left foot at the left side of the entrance. When leaving the Zen Hall, step out with your left foot at the other side of the entrance. After entering the hall each time, bow in Gassho toward the Buddha Statue and go to your seat. DO NOT cross in a diagonal ‘short cut’ across the room if needing to cross, but walk the ‘long way’ following the length of the walls, crossing behind the Buddha Statue (if in the center of the room). At all times when walking, please keep one’s hands in Shashu (see picture below)
At the end of Zazen, the procedure is reversed … Spin to the right (clockwise) until again facing the room, and carefully (especially after a long sitting) stand up. Turn again to the right (clockwise) to face the Zafu, fluff it again while rotating, and replace it (or for Kinhin, place it out of the way). Gassho toward the Zafu. turn again right (clockwise) to face the room, Gassho toward the room. If beginning Kinhin turn to the left. If leaving the Zen Hall, retrace your steps to enter. Bow in Gassho toward the Buddha Statue before exiting.To the degree possible, we will maintain silence during our two day Retreat. Keep all talk to a minimum, and avoid to speak unless truly an emergency.
(you should set the video to “FULL SCREEN” with the button at the right)
posted November 25, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Respectful obedience to ritual can produce so many beautiful things…as long as that truth keeps its place. The heart of conscience is a purer and more direct route to the truth, than mere obedience to rules and keeps discipline from becoming authoritarian abuse.