sign in sign up
<<
Home , Dharma talk

Guidelines of Conduct for Practice Periods and

The Guidelines of Conduct, along with the Precepts, the Practice Period Schedule, and other monastic forms and ceremonies, create a container of support and nurturance for everyone. This is the body and mind of training and practice. Please follow them completely and wholeheartedly. “To train constantly...requires unstinting support. The structure of the three-month Practice Period provides such support. It is the head and face of Buddha Ancestors. It has been intimately transmitted as their skin, flesh, bones, and marrow.” - Eihei Dogen Zenji -

Guidelines For Practice Period • Be on time for all the scheduled events: Allow enough time to arrive and settle at your place before any event begins. You are expected to participate fully in the schedule. • Observe Noble Silence during the times assigned. • During Practice Period, trips to town are not allowed unless you are in the kitchen crew. • Please refrain from using electronics during practice period, and make sure that all your business is taken care of in advance before coming to . It will support your practice. • Be aware of your practice of the Way. It can inspire or demoralize others.

The Sixteen Precepts The Three Treasures Be one with the Buddha (the awakened nature of all beings) Be one with the (the ocean of wisdom and compassion) Be one with the (the community of those living in harmony with all Buddhas and )

The Three Pure Precepts Do not commit evil (to practice not-knowing thereby giving up fixed ideas about myself and the universe) Do good (to bear witness to the joy and suffering of the world) Do good for others (to effect the healing of myself and others)

The Ten Grave Precepts • Do not kill (recognizing that I am not separate from all that is) • Do not steal (being satisfied with what I have) • Do not be greedy (encountering all creations with respect and dignity) • Do not tell a lie (listening and speaking from the heart) • Do not be ignorant (cultivating a mind that sees clearly) • Do not talk about others’ faults and errors (unconditionally accepting what each moment has to offer) • Do not elevate yourself and put down others (speaking what is perceived to be the truth without guilt or blame) • Do not be stingy (using all of the ingredients of my life) • Do not be angry (transforming suffering into wisdom) • Do not speak ill of the Three Treasures (honoring my life as an instrument of peacemaking)

“Typical” Daily Schedule for Practice Period 6:00 – 6:40 a.m. Optional 7:00 – 8:00 Zazen 8:00 – 8:20 Soji 8:20 Breakfast 9:20 – 11:45 (shuso tea) 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Zazen 1:00 Lunch 2:00 – 3:30 Group Study 3:30 – 5:30 Physical Practice/Rest 5:30 – 6:30 Dharma Talk 6:30 Dinner 7:45 – 8:45 Zazen 9:00 – 10:00 Optional Zazen

“Typical” Daily Schedule for / 5:00 – 5:40 a.m. Optional Zazen 5:30 Wake up Bell 6:00 – 7:40 Zazen 7:40 Service 8:00 Breakfast 9:30 – 10:30 Samu 11:00 Zazen & Dharma Talk (except Wednesday) 12:00 p.m. Zazen 12:40 Service 1:00 Lunch 3:00 – 4:00 Zazen 4:10 – 5:00 Dharma Walk / Physical Practice 5:30 – 6:30 Zazen (Dharma Talk Wednesday Only) 6:30 Dinner 7:45 – 8:45 Zazen, Four Vows 9:00 – 10:00 Optional Zazen

*Zazen: Sitting Meditation **Kinhin:

Noble Silence All Day

“Just sit and see what happens...Following the rules lets you find yourself...The rules are not something to restrict you, but something to support your practice.”

- Shunryu Suzuki Roshi –

If you have questions about or difficulties with any of these practice guidelines, please contact [email protected].