Robes are not required, but are very highly recommended. Robes can be borrowed from the men's or women's changing rooms. Private robes have the owner's name sewn inside. Any robe without a name sewn inside can be borrowed. Please return robes to exactly where they were, so as others can use them. Owning one's own robe is highly recommended. They cost under $100, are tailored to fit, and can last a lifetime. Ask any member how to order a robe. Order forms are at the Center. Please do not wear white socks in the Zendo.

Sittings in the evenings may include dokusan (private interview). If you are interested in going to dokusan, please first check with the Head of Zendo. There are some restrictions on who may go to dokusan.

Each sitting, except for those on Wednesday and Friday mornings (which are simpler), begins with three strikes on the big bell. When the third strike has occurred, you have three minutes before the han (wooden block) is played. The han indicates that the clappers are less than a minute away. The clappers are struck right at the start of the sitting and are quickly followed by three strikes on the inkin bell.

Upon the third strike there is no more moving until the end of the round. The big bell should be heard as one is already sitting in the Zendo, or as one is proceeding directly to the Zendo.

Please do not come into the Zendo after the inkin bell has been played, but wait in the living room downstairs until the first kinhin (walking meditation) has started. You can then join the kinhin line.

Washrooms can be used during kinhin. Of course, leave the lights off and the door open when finished with the washroom. Please be sure that the washroom is clean and dry before leaving it. There are some restrictions on which of the four washrooms are available during dokusan. Please ask any member to explain this.

Only a single, fluffed-up round cushion should be left in the Zendo after a sitting. Any other cushions should be returned to the cushion storage area, and should be returned neatly there.

Remember to bow to the altar upon entering the Zendo, once the altar is in sight. On the way out, turn again and bow, unless you are leaving with others (as, say, at the end of an evening sitting). In this case, simply pause at the doorway to the main Zendo and very briefly place the hands palm to palm. There is no need to turn to the altar in this circumstance.

Always remember that the hands should not simply be dropped to the sides when walking in the Zendo, but should either be placed in the kinhin posture or, if carrying cushions, an approximation of the kinhin posture.

Continue to page 3
Back to page 1