Fall Practice Period Zendo Forms (10/9-12/7)
Practice Period is a time for creating a container that allows for deepening our engagement with our practice of studying the self and dropping the self, both internally and externally. To this end, AZC will be implementing practice period forms for the upcoming months.
Zendo Etiquette: Please make an effort not to be late.
Our form is to be inside the zendo and seated by the end of the second roll-down (about 5 minutes before the scheduled beginning of the period). During this practice period this observance will be formalized with the use of a curtain between the foyer and zendo that will be drawn closed during periods of zazen. If you arrive late and the curtain is drawn, please sit quiety in the foyer until the curtain is opened (for kinhin or service). Likewise, when you are seated inside the zendo and the curtain is drawn, please remain in the zendo throughout the entire period of zazen unless you have an emergency.
Morning Program (weekdays)
1. Continuing the usual morning Jundo: after offering incense and offering 3 prostrations, the Doshi will walk around the zendo behind the meditators, in what is called the ‘kentan,’ or ‘inspection of the sitting platform.’ As the Doshi passes, meditators raise their hands in gassho without bowing; this joins Doshi and sitters in mutual acknowledgement.
2. Morning zazen will include the use of the time-drum at the start of first period, and second period will end with the time-drum, han, and densho.
3. We will chant the robe chant as usual, but it will be accompanied by the densho.
4. Morning services will include chanting the Repentances and Refuges following the 9 bows.
Post-Zazen/Service Forms (for extending stillness and silence gathered in zazen)
1. The bow with the Doshi upon exiting the zendo will be discontinued.
2. Announcements in the circle will be decreased.
Explore more details of Practice Period form changes for the Doanryo on our Member Forum:Doanryo.
Learn more about Soto Zen Forms from the official Sotoshu Headquarters.