Intro | How to Practice Zazen | How to Practice Zazen at the Temple | Stretches for Zazen

How to Practice Zazen at the Temple

General Information | Zendo Etiquette

Over the centuries that zazen has been practiced in temples and monasteries in Asia and now in the west, forms and etiquette have been developed to help create a settled, peaceful atmosphere conducive to practice and realization. The place where zazen is practiced is called the zendo. The essential spirit of the zendo is silence: we do not speak conversationally in the zendo, and keep our movements as quiet and settled as possible, following the prescribed forms. The forms themselves are mindfulness practice, and show respect to fellow practitioners and the place of practice. The forms may be confusing at first or difficult to remember, but just watch others and do your best. If someone corrects you or offers a suggestion, know that they are only trying to help your practice, and no personal judgment or criticism is intended.

The following is a basic outline of the zendo etiquette followed at all sittings and other events. Instruction in the forms is provided during zazen instruction at evening sittings. Please feel free to ask a member about any forms you are uncertain about.

To enter the zendo, take the flight of stairs on the side you wish to sit. Step onto the carpet and bow to the Buddha on the altar with hands in gassho (palms together). Extra cushions for support are kept near both entrances. Take as many cushions as you need. At all times keep your eyes lowered and avoid unnecessary looking around. Place your hands in shashu (the right hand with fingers wrapped around the right thumb is placed upon the solar plexus with left hand laid across the right hand) and walk mindfully to a vacant seat.    Seats are reserved where the cushions are pushed forward, or if support cushions are already there. When you arrive at the seat of your choice, place the extra cushions on the mat if necessary and then bow to the mat. Then turn 180 degrees in the direction of the altar and bow to the other side of the zendo with your back to your mat. Then turn back toward your mat and take your seat, again turning in the direction of the altar. Take a strong zazen posture. If there are support cushions you will not be using, place them to your side. If you are using a stool, fold the mat in half and place the zafu and chant book on top. The bell is rung three times to signal the start of a 25-minute round of sitting. After the final bell is rung, do not move until the round has ended. This includes scratching and shifting your posture. If you must cough or sneeze, cup your hands over your nose and mouth and the return them to your lap with as little movement as possible. During the round of zazen, the tanto (zendo leader) may come around and adjust peoples posture to bring it into proper alignment. When the bell rings to signal the end of a round of sitting, place your hands in gassho and make a seated bow, get up, straighten out your mat and cushions, arranging them in the prescribed manner, then stand with your back to your mat with hands in gassho. If your legs have fallen asleep, remain seated until normal feeling returns, or you feel confident that you can stand and begin walking. If kinhin has started before you are able to get up, stand at your place on the side opposite the flow of kinhin.    When the bell is rung, bow and maintain the gassho until you hear the dead-beat on the bell, at which time you place your hands in shashu and remain standing in your place until you hear the clappers which signal the beginning of kinhin. If you wish to use the bathroom during kinhin, leave the zendo after the deadbeat. For kinhin, keep your back straight, head erect, and gaze lowered. Walk mindfully and slowly, maintaining the pace set by the Jiki (timer). Do not allow gaps to form. When the clappers are struck, everyone places their hands in gassho and walks quickly back to their seat. When you return to your seat, stop with your back to your mat, wait with hands in shashu and then place your hands in gassho and bow when the clappers are struck. Turn to your mat, bow, and then take your seat for the next round. Miscellaneous Procedures After entering the zendo, do not cross in front of the altar. If you wish to go to the other side of the zendo, you should either walk all the way around the altar, or exit the zendo and reenter on the other side. When returning to the zendo after using the bathroom or any other time, if kinhin is in progress, join the kinhin line when your place in line comes around. If this is not possible, wait until kinhin is over and people are taking their seats before re-entering the zendo. This is indicated by the sound of the clappers at the end of kinhin. If you are arriving late for a sitting, wait until after kinhin when people are taking their seats before entering. Do not enter while sitting or kinhin is in progress. If you are not going to attend the entire sitting, write a note to the tanto (one of the zendo leaders, sitting next to the timer) before the sitting begins and leave at kinhin. When using a chanting booklet, hold the booklet up level with your nose. When exiting the zendo at times when many people are streaming out of the exit, do not turn and bow to the altar. Simply place your hands in gassho without bending the torso and proceed through the exit.