Working hard, accomplishing nothing
SCHEDULE
We meet on Tuesday evenings at 5904 West Cholla Street inside the West Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Glendale, Arizona. Our meetings run from 7:00-9:00, but newcomers are asked to arrive 15 minutes early for orientation. Please wear comfortable clothing in plain colors.
Sitting cushions and mats are limited, so bring a zafu or cushion to sit on and a zabuton or folded blanket to use as a mat.
A five-dollar donation is requested, but everyone is welcome regardless of their financial means.
Here are the specifics of a typical Tuesday evening meeting:
6:45 - Newcomers arrive for orientation.
7:00 - Three strikes of the rin (gong) to signal beginning of formal practice period, clap clappers twice - all stand up. One bow to the Sangha, three bows to the Buddha, take seats. Sutra service begins with one strike of the rin followed by chanting the Three Refuges in Pali, then another rin strike followed by chanting of the Kannon Sutra and the Heart Sutra in Japanese, followed by an incense offering.
7:10 - First of two 25-minute periods of zazen (sitting meditation) begins with three rin strikes. The end of this period is signaled by one rin strike.
7:35 - Two claps indicate start of five minutes of kinhin (walking meditation).
7:40 - Second and final 25-minute period of zazen begins with three rin strikes. The end of this period is signaled by one rin strike.
8:05 - Tea is served, and there is a Dharma talk from Dogo Sensei or an invited guest. The talk is followed by questions and discussion.
8:50 - Jikijitsu strikes rin to signal end of discussion.
8:51: - One rin strike, then three recitations of the Gatha of Atonement, the Metta Prayer and the Bodhisattva Vows, followed by three prostrations.
After the service, we put away the cushions and other items used in the service, and put back the chairs that have been moved to make room for the zendo. Please follow the jikijitsu's instructions in accomplishing these tasks mindfully.