Question - Short Form Oryoki

[Brett]

Hello everyone,
My question is regarding whether an abbreviated version of Oryoki exists that could be more practically applied on a day-to-day basis. It seems to me, that the practice of Oryoki is one of group participation, which is quite lovely. However, it seems quite impractical for daily practice outside of Zen groups and a bit much to comfortably be done in public if needed. Is there an existing short/small version of this that can still honor the practice but at the same time be more easily accomplished outside of the formality of group Oryoki? Also carrying around a full set of Oryoki bowls, utensils, and clothes seems a bit much for daily use. I think just carrying one bowl, some chopsticks and maybe one or two clothes seems like something that could be done much easier for daily use.

St/lah
Gassho
Brett

[Bion]

Hi, Brett! There are various adaptations of Oryoki for different situations and from different sanghas. I don’t think Oryoki was precisely designed to be done in the restaurant or in the work cafeteria. But, as someone who does Oryoki regularly, I can say once one is deeply familiar with the forms in their totality, it’s easy to adapt to fit different situations. It depends on how much practicality you’re looking for and the goal of doing it, I guess. From my personal experience just my ignorant opinion, one does not need special cloths or bowls to be mindful while eating, wherever one is. For me, joining hands in gassho and reciting the formal meal chant or a meal gatha is usually enough before I eat anywhere in public and even at home.
Please take this as just the words of a fellow practitioner. I am just a novice still!

gassho
sat and lah

[Brett]

Hi, Brett! There are various adaptations of Oryoki for different situations and from different sanghas. I don’t think Oryoki was precisely designed to be done in the restaurant or in the work cafeteria. But, as someone who does Oryoki regularly, I can say once one is deeply familiar with the forms in their totality, it’s easy to adapt to fit different situations. It depends on how much practicality you’re looking for and the goal of doing it, I guess. From my personal experience just my ignorant opinion, one does not need special cloths or bowls to be mindful while eating, wherever one is. For me, joining hands in gassho and reciting the formal meal chant or a meal gatha is usually enough before I eat anywhere in public and even at home.
Please take this as just the words of a fellow practitioner. I am just a novice still!

gassho
sat and lah

Thanks Bion,
I found this article regarding a home-style Oryoki How to Practice Homestyle Oryoki | Lion’s Roar (lionsroar.com) which had some good suggestions.

I guess I am just trying to make sure not to offend the practice at all and if anyone else knows of an abbreviated version to do even better. Thank you for sharing what you do.

St/lah
Gassho
Brett

[Bion]

Thanks Bion,
I found this article regarding a home-style Oryoki How to Practice Homestyle Oryoki | Lion’s Roar (lionsroar.com) which had some good suggestions.

I guess I am just trying to make sure not to offend the practice at all and if anyone else knows of an abbreviated version to do even better. Thank you for sharing what you do.

St/lah
Gassho
Brett

We can have a chat anytime and I’ll share the little I know

gassho
sat and lah

[Shinshi]

HI Brett,

Bion has already given you a great response. I am going to add my $.02 as your question happens to touch on something I have been working with for a while now and have meant to talk about. And it is going to be way too long so my apologies in advance.

I have sort of a personal project which I think of as taking Zen Off the Cushion - and it started with Oryoki. The idea of Zen Off the Cushion came about because, for me, I was starting to feel like my practice was getting a little calcified. I had my set times, and my set routines, and my set rituals. And one day it started to feel to me like Zen lived in its own compartment in my life rather than being integrated in my life. So I wanted to play around with how could I take my practice and breath a different life into it.

And I want to be clear this is a me thing. I completely believe in the importance of ritual and practice. It isn't lacking or deficient. This was just where my practice was/is in the moment.

Again, it all started with Oryoki. At the time I was watching Oryoki videos for hours (long story) so all the steps where in my head and I was practicing them. At that time we had moved to Texas and my wife and I were remodeling our kitchen ourselves and we were eating out a lot. There is a MacDonald's close to us which I would go to for lunch (I love a Big Max).

One day I set down my tray and just had this idea I would do Oryoki. I took my packaging and separated the halves so it made sort of two bowls, and then my fries were the third. I laid out my napkin and folded it, I laid out my utensils. Rather than use clappers I would just tap the table top lightly. I didn't chant out loud and didn't do all of them. I just tried to spontaneously recreate the flow of the ritual - using the elements that seemed most relevant and salient in that moment - in that place and time. I focused on being mindful of my mean and of my eating. I finished and tied my napkin around my bowls and took them to the trash.

One of the things that is important to me when eating is recognizing the interconnections that food represents. From the folks that prepared it, to the folks that delivered it, to the folks that transported it, to the folks that grew it. To the sun that nourished it, to the soil that sustained it. I try to touch all those things as eat my meal.

And for me it felt invigorating, and refreshing, and a buoyant almost. Oryoki at MacDonald's! And I am still working on this project in a number of ways. I don't eat at MacDonald's much but I recreate this when I go. And I try to incorporate elements both when eating out and at home. I have promised Jundo I would write them up so I should get to it.

So a couple of final thoughts. One way is to to give this approach a try. But one thing that I think is key is that it is important to really know the formal ceremony before you start to improvise. One thing I always think of is the work of Pablo Picasso. Here are two paintings of his wife Olga - about 10 years apart. I have the first framed in my home because I think it teaches such a great lesson.

_131122795_dee8652f-8314-4c11-9a9f-a84b464b8d44.jpg

Picasso was a great classical artist. He had all the skills - and to me you kind of have to really know the rules before you break them - or play with them. It is hard to stay true to the ritual if you don't have it down.

The other way would be to create a shortened, informal version - or to see if we can find one. I am pretty sure others have done this. I would be happy to participate in searching or coming up with something if folks want to do that. Or cheer folks on if they want to go for it.

Sorry for running long.

Gassho, Shinshi

SaT-LaH

[mdonnoe]

Hello Brett!

One option you might enjoy with "short / adapted oryoki" is what we did once or twice a month at Hartford Street Zen Center, in SF. The vast majority of people coming on retreat with us there didn't have an oryoki set or know how to "properly" do oryoki.

The abbot's adaptation there was to set out three bowls on a placemat (the bowls were all the same size - small "cereal bowls" as one might have in their set of dishes already), a spoon, a set of chopsticks, and a cloth napkin. We'd do all of the same Soto oryoki chants, and fill each bowl at our seat (usually it was something like rice, soup or protein like tofu, and salad). We didn't do any of the "wiping down" and formal "moves" one sees in oryoki, but adapted to the dishes available to people, people's ability to do a ritual, and of course all of the chants.

Perhaps doing something similar at home might be meaningful and special for you, too! I know the oryoki chants are linked around here somewhere, but any of the unsui would know better than I. As with everything, take this suggestion with a grain of salt, as I'm merely a student myself, and I'm sure that seniors will know more.

Gassho,
Michael / Jika
SatLah

[Brett]

HI Brett,

Bion has already given you a great response. I am going to add my $.02 as your question happens to touch on something I have been working with for a while now and have meant to talk about. And it is going to be way too long so my apologies in advance.

I have sort of a personal project which I think of as taking Zen Off the Cushion - and it started with Oryoki. The idea of Zen Off the Cushion came about because, for me, I was starting to feel like my practice was getting a little calcified. I had my set times, and my set routines, and my set rituals. And one day it started to feel to me like Zen lived in its own compartment in my life rather than being integrated in my life. So I wanted to play around with how could I take my practice and breath a different life into it.

And I want to be clear this is a me thing. I completely believe in the importance of ritual and practice. It isn't lacking or deficient. This was just where my practice was/is in the moment.

Again, it all started with Oryoki. At the time I was watching Oryoki videos for hours (long story) so all the steps where in my head and I was practicing them. At that time we had moved to Texas and my wife and I were remodeling our kitchen ourselves and we were eating out a lot. There is a MacDonald's close to us which I would go to for lunch (I love a Big Max).

One day I set down my tray and just had this idea I would do Oryoki. I took my packaging and separated the halves so it made sort of two bowls, and then my fries were the third. I laid out my napkin and folded it, I laid out my utensils. Rather than use clappers I would just tap the table top lightly. I didn't chant out loud and didn't do all of them. I just tried to spontaneously recreate the flow of the ritual - using the elements that seemed most relevant and salient in that moment - in that place and time. I focused on being mindful of my mean and of my eating. I finished and tied my napkin around my bowls and took them to the trash.

One of the things that is important to me when eating is recognizing the interconnections that food represents. From the folks that prepared it, to the folks that delivered it, to the folks that transported it, to the folks that grew it. To the sun that nourished it, to the soil that sustained it. I try to touch all those things as eat my meal.

And for me it felt invigorating, and refreshing, and a buoyant almost. Oryoki at MacDonald's! And I am still working on this project in a number of ways. I don't eat at MacDonald's much but I recreate this when I go. And I try to incorporate elements both when eating out and at home. I have promised Jundo I would write them up so I should get to it.

So a couple of final thoughts. One way is to to give this approach a try. But one thing that I think is key is that it is important to really know the formal ceremony before you start to improvise. One thing I always think of is the work of Pablo Picasso. Here are two paintings of his wife Olga - about 10 years apart. I have the first framed in my home because I think it teaches such a great lesson.

_131122795_dee8652f-8314-4c11-9a9f-a84b464b8d44.jpg

Picasso was a great classical artist. He had all the skills - and to me you kind of have to really know the rules before you break them - or play with them. It is hard to stay true to the ritual if you don't have it down.

The other way would be to create a shortened, informal version - or to see if we can find one. I am pretty sure others have done this. I would be happy to participate in searching or coming up with something if folks want to do that. Or cheer folks on if they want to go for it.

Sorry for running long.

Gassho, Shinshi

SaT-LaH

Thank you so much for the input Shinshi. I too have thought on this type of stuff. When it comes to integrating practice into your life what better way than with something you do multiple times a day. When you watch the videos and instruction though, it does come across as a "team sport" feel if you will. This got me wondering if there was an abbreviated formal practice that either already was in place, or perhaps one that could be created to be the Treeleaf way when you are kind of forced to practice alone. I would love to see formal long-form practice as well over Zoom, but from a practical standpoint having a short version you do by yourself seems like it could be very rewarding as well.

Gassho,
Brett

[Shinshi]

Thank you so much for the input Shinshi. I too have thought on this type of stuff. When it comes to integrating practice into your life what better way than with something you do multiple times a day. When you watch the videos and instruction though, it does come across as a "team sport" feel if you will. This got me wondering if there was an abbreviated formal practice that either already was in place, or perhaps one that could be created to be the Treeleaf way when you are kind of forced to practice alone. I would love to see formal long-form practice as well over Zoom, but from a practical standpoint having a short version you do by yourself seems like it could be very rewarding as well.

Gassho,
Brett

Hi Brett,

There is a long simmering plan to start doing Zoom Oryoki here at Treeleaf. Basically my health challenges have been an impediment. We also do Oryoki during Rohatsu.

I think we could run the idea of a short version by Jundo and see what he thinks. Sounds like Michael / Jika experience might be a starting point. I am sure Bion and others have great ideas as well. I have also thought it might be interesting to have a "Family Style" Oryoki when practitioners get together. Rather than formal servers, the folks eating the meal serve each other.

Gassho, Shinshi

SaT-LaH

[Jundo]

Let me just mention that I look forward to the Oryoki Practice Circle that Shinshi will be facilitating, and has been working on preparing for diligently for a few months. It might be a great place for you to join.

My personal practice of "Oryoki on the Go" varies. Sometimes, it is just a Gassho to the meal before me, and a moment's pause before the first bite.

Sometimes it is to recite some version of this simple meal chant, adapted from our longer, formal Oryoki chants ...

A very special 'Meal Gatha' might be recited by oneself or with one's family (much like 'Saying Grace') .. or during lunch breaks at work, etc (in voice or silently). Here is the one we recite during our annual 'Ango' period, but it is excellent as a daily practice and reminder ...

(Hands in Gassho) This food comes from the efforts
of all sentient beings past and present,
and is medicine for nourishment of our Practice-Life.
We offer this meal of many virtues and tastes
to the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha,
and to all life in every realm of existence.
May all sentient beings in the universe
be sufficiently nourished.

That is part of our "Suggested At Home Liturgy" thread ... (LINK)

It can be said silently, inside one's heart, if in a social situation where an actual recital might be inappropriate.

I also bow in Gassho, and pause, a few times during meals when being mindful. Don't just jump from dish to dish, bite to bite, but take a breath between doing so now and then, and then maybe Gassho again and continue.

Gassho, J

stlah

[Jundo]

PS - And let us take a moment to offer Metta to poor Olga. She obviously met with some terrible accident during those 10 years ...