One foundational aspect of Zen training is to engage in particular customs, or forms of practice, as a way to cultivate mindful presence as well as to harmonize with one another in our shared endeavor to awaken. Through these forms we encourage stillness of body and mind, within and without, to help us most deeply encounter and embrace our lives in each moment. Please do not worry about getting them “right.” We have a gentle, accommodating approach.
These “forms,” or standards of deportment, are intended to support us in waking up to our inherently wise and compassionate nature (as well as to other people and even to inanimate objects). Forms manifest as particular ways in which we sit, stand, walk, eat, chant, bow, as well as how we as practitioners interact with one another and with the Dharma. When first beginning Zen practice, the forms can seem like an endless array of “rules”: stand this way, turn that way, don’t put your hands in your pockets, straighten up, don’t move your cushion with your foot, don’t eat while standing up; when to bow, when not to bow; and on and on. It is common for new students to experience a wide range of feelings and reactions when practicing new forms– from confusion or frustration to self-aggrandizement and conceit! Whatever the experience, training in the forms provides a rare opportunity to directly encounter our own minds with the wisdom and compassion we cultivate in our meditation: open awareness without judgment.
As there are countless misunderstandings that can come up about forms, a lot of time and energy is spent demonstrating, explaining and reviewing students’ use of them.
Basic Zendo Forms
Entering the Zendo
Please leave shoes, jackets, hats, bags and water bottles in the foyer. Leave cellphones in your car or in the foyer, set to silent mode.
You may enter or leave the zendo at the beginning or end of any period of zazen or kinhin. To enter the zendo, take a step inside and offer a gassho bow (with palms together at heart-level) to the room and proceed to an available seat (zafu/bench/chair on a zabuton). Before sitting down, stand facing your seat, bow toward it in gassho, then turn clockwise to bow toward the center of the meditation hall. Sit down and turn clockwise again to face the wall.
Bowing (prostration or “full bow”)
A full prostration begins in a standing position, then lowering to your knees, placing the hands and forearms on the floor, bringing the forehead down to the floor, and raising the palms facing upward next to your ears. Prostrating in this way is an expression of equality with all beings, of gratitude and humility.
Kinhin
After the meditation bell rings twice, ending the period of zazen, bow in gassho while seated. Move off the zafu and zabuton and stand at your seat facing outwards until the beginning of walking meditation (kinhin), which is signaled by the clappers (kaishaku). Turn to the left and form a line behind the kinhin leader, who is holding the wooden clappers. Hold your hands in the shashu mudra. Take a breath and then a half step forward with your exhale. Go at your own pace but be aware of the person in front of you. The end of kinhin is signaled with another clap. Return to your place walking at a normal pace. The next period of zazen is signalled with 3 small bells. You may leave after kinhin if not sitting another period, or at the start of kinhin if you need to use the restroom or leave at that time
Chanting
Chanting is a body practice using your breath. The meaning of the words is not the only important element. “Chant with your ears.” Listen for the pitch and pace set by the chant leader and instruments and then adjust your tone and volume to harmonize with the assembly. Please chant with confidence. Hold the chant card or book in front of you at eye level, with thumb and pinkie outside the book, and middle fingers inside giving support to the text. Explore the variety of chants used for service.
Gassho
Gassho is a gesture of respect, with hands together palm to palm, fingers pointing up, fingertips one fist’s distance from the tip of your nose.
Shashu
Shashu is a posture of collected attention, with your hands held at your midriff, your left finger wrapped in a loose fist around your left thumb and the right hand covering the left. Your forearms should be parallel and relaxed. This is the posture to take while standing in the zendo or service, or while participating in kinhin.
Zazen
Zazen is also a form. If you have questions about zazen please attend zazen instruction or speak with a practice leader, who can help you find a stable and comfortable sitting position and answer questions about your experiences in zazen. The list of practice leaders is available in the foyer.
Other guidelines and forms
We maintain silence in the zendo unless a practice leader needs to offer instructions. Hold your head up and facing forward but keep your eyes lowered. Cover your cough or sneeze in the crook of your arm and blow your nose as gently as you can.