At Eiryu-ji Zen Center, the type of meditation we do is called zazen (which means "seated meditation"). Detailed instructions on how to do zazen are here: How to Begin - Zazen Instructions.

What to wear: please feel free to wear comfortable, neat clothing, loose-fitting around the abdomen. It is suggested to avoid loud/busy colors and patterns, in favor of less distracting muted tones. Also, please avoid strong colognes and perfumes.

Please keep voices low upon entering the Zen Center.

There is a dana box on the front desk for donations. The minimum suggested donation for non-members is $15 per visit.

Before entering the zendo area for zazen, place hands in gassho* and bow toward the altar.

* "This gesture is made by placing the hands together, palm to palm in front of the face.
The fingers and thumbs are placed together and are straight rather than bent, while the
palms are slightly pressed together so that they meet. The elbows are held somewhat out
from the body, although the forearms are not quite parallel with the floor. There is about
one fist's distance between the tip of the nose and the hands. Fingertips are level with the
tip of the nose. This gassho helps establish an alert and respectful state of mind".

~ From "On Zen Practice: Body, Breath, and Mind" by Taizan Maezumi and Bernie Glassman ("On Gassho and Bowing")

Then walk, with hands in gassho, to an empty zabuton (meditation mat). With hands still in gassho, bow once toward the zabuton, turn around to face the opposite side of the room, bow once, then take your seat on the zafu (meditation cushion). Members may also use seiza benches, or sit in chairs if necessary due to physical limitations.

There are a number of different meditation sitting postures, including full lotus position, half-lotus position, Burmese, and seiza (using a bench or cushions as support). Assume your preferred position and place your hands in the cosmic mudra, with palms facing upward and the left hand on top of the right, with the back of your hands resting on the soles of your feet (lotus) or in your lap (Burmese, seiza, seated in chair). For instructions on how to actually do zazen, click here.

A zazen session begins with three rings of the large bell by the Doan (timekeeper/bell ringer). After the ringing of the bell, strive to remain motionless throughout the zazen period (typically around 25-40 minutes). For example, if you have an itch, do not scratch it; instead, you can momentarily direct your focus to the itch, and you will find that after a short while it goes away on its own. If you have the need to reposition yourself due to physical discomfort, first place your hands in gassho, then quickly reposition yourself and return to your zazen.

Zazen periods end with two rings of the bell (when there will be a period of walking meditation known as "kinhin") or with a single ring at the conclusion of zazen for the day.

Please do not get up to go to the bathroom during a zazen period; you may do so during a kinhin period.

Kinhin

After the bell rings twice upon the end of a zazen period, place hands in gassho and bow from your seated position. Slowly rise from your sitting position (take as much time as you need so as not to lose balance or otherwise injure yourself while the blood flow returns to your legs). Stand facing the opposite side of the zendo with hands in gassho. The Doan will strike the wooden clappers once; place hands in shashu (see below) and turn to your right. The Doan will strike the clappers a second time, which is the signal to begin walking.

"Kinhin is performed by placing the right fist, with thumb inside, on the chest and covering it with the left palm while holding both elbows at right angles. Keep the arms in a straight line and the body erect, with the eyes resting upon a point about two yards in front of your feet. Begin walking with the left foot and walk in such a way that the foot sinks into the floor, first the heel and then the toes. Walk calmly and steadily, with poise and dignity. The walking must not be done absentmindedly, and the mind must be taut…. You are to think of this walking as zazen in motion."

~ From "The Three Pillars of Zen" by Philip Kapleau

At Eiryu-ji, we do both slow walking (typically done in the Soto Zen tradition) and fast walking (the Rinzai Zen way). The clappers will strike once during the slow walking; pause, place hands in gassho, bow, place hands back in shashu, then proceed to fast walking.

When you hear the clappers strike during fast walking, place hands in gassho and follow the kinhin line back to your zabuton. Bow toward your zabuton, then turn around and face the room with hands still in gassho. The Doan will strike the clappers a final time, at which point we bow and resume our sitting position for the next zazen period.

(If you need to use the restroom during kinhin, upon approaching a rest room place your hands in gassho, step out of the kinhin line and bow, then proceed to the rest room. To re-enter the kinhin line, when the line comes back near you, place hands in gassho and bow as you re-enter in your place in line; the person behind you will pause to give you room to re-enter.)

Zazen sessions end with a single ring of the large bell. Place hands in gassho and bow from your seated position.

Exiting the Zendo: Rise from your zabuton, place hands in gassho and bow toward the zabuton. Walk to the edge of the zendo, turn to face the altar, place hands in gassho and bow one final time.

Dokusan

During zazen, Roshi may offer dokusan. Dokusan is a private meeting with a teacher, for the purpose of deepening the understanding of practice, and examining the level of the student’s understanding. This is an opportunity to ask practice-related questions, and receive personal guidance tailored to the specific needs of each student. Dokusan is a part of formal practice and the discussion needs to be maintained with full attention and awareness, concise and to the point.

Dokusan is usually offered during select Zazen periods. When the teacher is available he will sound the bell. If you wish to meet with the teacher, please stand, make a bow to the cushion, a bow to the Sangha, and quietly go to the Dokusan room. When you enter, make a standing bow to the teacher, sit down and make another bow. Then state your question and engage in the dialogue as it develops. When the teacher concludes the conversation make a sitting bow, a standing bow, swiftly return to the cushion, bow to the cushion, the Sangha, sit down and resume Zazen.

Chanting

Zazen sessions sometimes begin and end with chanting. For the chants we do at Eiryju-ji, please click here for our liturgy manual.