What Is Zen?
An ancient verse attributed to Bodhidharma describes the Zen method, realization and transmission as follows:
Without dependence on words or letters;
Directly pointing to the heart-mind;
Seeing one’s true nature and attaining awakening'.
Zen is one spiritual pathway of the contemplative tradition. It is a meditation practice within a student-teacher relationship. This practice allows the possibility of realizing for oneself the graced experience of essential nature. Realization is incomplete unless it is personalized and lived in the everyday world.
About Zen Practice:
The practice of Zen can be described as the practice of mindfulness. Mindfulness is nothing else but consciously living the present moment.It is often said that enlightenment means nothing if it is not lived in the marketplace. At SMZ, the marketplace is our Zendo including all the rituals and practices in which we participate. The marketplace is also every moment of our everyday lives— with family, work and in the wider community. All of these afford a place and time to practice mindfulness. However, SMZ is here to assist with a very focused practice. In order to create a suitable environment where we can practice zazen together, there are a few zendo rules, long established in Zen tradition:
Zendo Conventions:
1. Be on time. i.e. before the sitting commences.
2. Allow yourself time to get ready and to settle into your place.
3. Consider coming half an hour earlier to help others setup the Zendo.
4. Before entering the Zendo, place your shoes, bags etc. neatly in the space provided.
5. Upon entering the Zendo, gassho (bow) towards the Butsudan
6. Proceed to your place. (Walk around outside of the room - do not cross the Zendo diagonally)
7. Gassho (bow) towards the room then towards your cushion / chair. (An attitude of gratitude - for the Sangha, the Dharma and for the opportunity to sit)
8. Settle on your cushions. Be ready by the time of the warning clappers and certainly by the first gong.
9. Begin your practice.
10. If you need to leave the Zendo, do so during kinhin quietly. Every distraction is a potential interruption to someone's practice. Walk slowly, quietly and deliberately. Do not make unnecessary noise. Be mindful and considerate.
11. When moving on your cushion or chair, gassho before the move and after the move. This is to be mindful of the potential disturbance you have just created to your neighbour.
Key Terms
Zendo: Meditation Hall
Sangha: Zen Community
Butsudan: Table / “altar”
Zazen: Sitting / Meditation
Dokusan: Interview with teacher
Kinhin: Walking meditation
Zenkai: Day retreat
Sesshin: Intensive meditation retreat: literally means “ to touch the heart- mind”
