Etiquette – Interaction with Abbess/Abbot

[PlatosGhost]

I am going to be able to start going to a Sangha near me more regularly. What is the etiquette for greeting and interacting with the Abbess? I have been before years ago and she is very relaxed and casual (Chapel Hill Zen Center/ Josho Pat Phelan) However I want to be sure I am showing the appropriate level of respect.

What do I call her? Do I bow? What else should I know?

Gassho

Sean
#SatToday

[Jundo]

Hi Sean,

Josho is just very nice. I would just ask her or others there what to call her. I would guess it is "Josho." Just offer a Gassho in greetings, and smile.

And when in Rome, sit as the Romans sit.

Gassho, Jundo

SatTodayLAH

[PlatosGhost]

Thank you Jundo!

[Chishou]

Hello Sean,

When I met the vice-abbess of my “local” monastery, I treated her exactly the same as my fellow laity practitioners. I’d like to think I would do the same when meeting a murder or the Dalia Lama.

Nine bows,
Chishou.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jundo]

Now, just to show you the formality of Japanese monastery life, here are some of Master Dogen's "How Junior Priests Must Behave in the Presence of Senior Priests" from his monastic rules.

Yes, monasteries can be like the army (listen to poor Kakunen!). No, you are not expected to behave like this in most western Zen groups (although some more than others). Sean, no worries, none of this will be expected of you, I am sure!

===================

3. Clasp your hands respectfully when you see a senior; do
not allow them to hang down.
4. Sit upright without leaning back when in the presence of
a senior and never stare at him.

...

9. When with a senior never scratch or hunt vermin.
10. Do not spit or blow your nose when with a senior.
11. Do not clean your teeth or rinse your mouth when with
a senior.
12. Always wait for a senior’s permission before sitting
down in his presence.
13. Do not sit on any raised surface whereon the senior may
sit or sleep.
14. Never touch a senior when near him.

...

16. Never sit down before the senior permits you and then
clasp your hands, sit down respectfully and upright, showing
no sign of laziness or disrespect.
17. Never lean to right or left when with a senior; this is gross
impoliteness.
18. Show humility when giving information to a senior and
never say all you wish to.
19. When with a senior never give a large yawn; if you must
yawn cover your mouth.
20. Never touch your face, head or limbs when with a senior.
21. Do not sigh heavily; behave yourself with respect when
with a senior.
22. Stand as if at attention when with a senior if you must
stand

...

34. Never jest in the presence of a senior either about himself
or his room and do not indulge in idle chatter.
35. Never criticise or praise a senior in the presence of another
senior.
36. Do not show contempt for a senior by asking frivolous
questions.

...

39. No junior may take food prior to seniors.
40. No junior may bathe prior to seniors.

...

46. When entering a senior’s room never do so by the centre
of the doorway for this indicates pride; always do so from
either the left or right side of the door.
47. If you go regularly to a senior’s room always enter and
leave by the left side of the door; never go boldly through the
centre of the entrance.

http://www.sunypress.edu/p-2238-dogens-pure-standards-for-the-z.aspx

================

Anyway, there are many more. To meet the Abbot is even more formal. Here are the rules for formally greeting the Abbot during certain rituals ...

When abbot stands up from seat, administrators advance close to him/
her (at this point monks on staff all stand up), do “spreading cloth twice,
paying respects thrice.” Upon first spread of sitting cloth, they say:

We humbly receive the official visit of your reverence’s dharma
chariot. We ordinary people with no responsibilities are deeply
appreciative

Upon second spread [of sitting cloth], they say:

The weather these days is becoming hotter. With deferential
consideration for you, reverend abbot, we respectfully inquire if
everything is going well.

They make three abbreviated prostrations; abbot also makes one
prostration in reply. When finished, administrators and monks on staff
first go outside of quarters door to see off abbot; as he/she departs, they
immediately follow along behind.
Subsequently, in every quarters, they likewise await approach of abbot
and hit sounding board, gather staff and come out of entryway to greet him/
her, and follow behind abbot when rounds of that quarters are finished.
Abbot exits administrators’ quarters, goes around by east corridor, passes
by triple gate (mountain gate), proceeds up west corridor, and visits various
quarters in whatever order is dictated by location of quarters facilities.
When abbot has entered a particular quarters and taken seat, quarters
head of that quarters proffers tea or decoction, and there is a “spreading
cloth twice, paying respects thrice,” same as in administration hall. (If abbot
enters quarters but does not take seat, then without performing ritual
procedure pay respects and follow along with him/her.)

So, please memorize that when you meet Josho! (Just kidding)

Yes, monastic life is like boot camp, meant to place the ego aside. Other aspects of these rules simply represent Japanese culture, in which all persons are above or below in everything from high school clubs to companies to families, and style of address and mutual behavior does change. One does not talk to one's older brother with the same grammar forms in Japanese as one's younger brother. In the West, we tend to be much much more egalitarian.

Gassho, J

SatTodayLAH

[PlatosGhost]

Yikes! We have been slacking with you Jundo-san!

[Mp]

Now, just to show you the formality of Japanese monastery life, here are some of Master Dogen's "How Junior Priests Must Behave in the Presence of Senior Priests" from his monastic rules.

Yes, monasteries can be like the army (listen to poor Kakunen!). No, you are not expected to behave like this in most western Zen groups (although some more than others). Sean, no worries, none of this will be expected of you, I am sure!

===================

3. Clasp your hands respectfully when you see a senior; do
not allow them to hang down.
4. Sit upright without leaning back when in the presence of
a senior and never stare at him.

...

9. When with a senior never scratch or hunt vermin.
10. Do not spit or blow your nose when with a senior.
11. Do not clean your teeth or rinse your mouth when with
a senior.
12. Always wait for a senior’s permission before sitting
down in his presence.
13. Do not sit on any raised surface whereon the senior may
sit or sleep.
14. Never touch a senior when near him.

...

16. Never sit down before the senior permits you and then
clasp your hands, sit down respectfully and upright, showing
no sign of laziness or disrespect.
17. Never lean to right or left when with a senior; this is gross
impoliteness.
18. Show humility when giving information to a senior and
never say all you wish to.
19. When with a senior never give a large yawn; if you must
yawn cover your mouth.
20. Never touch your face, head or limbs when with a senior.
21. Do not sigh heavily; behave yourself with respect when
with a senior.
22. Stand as if at attention when with a senior if you must
stand

...

34. Never jest in the presence of a senior either about himself
or his room and do not indulge in idle chatter.
35. Never criticise or praise a senior in the presence of another
senior.
36. Do not show contempt for a senior by asking frivolous
questions.

...

39. No junior may take food prior to seniors.
40. No junior may bathe prior to seniors.

...

46. When entering a senior’s room never do so by the centre
of the doorway for this indicates pride; always do so from
either the left or right side of the door.
47. If you go regularly to a senior’s room always enter and
leave by the left side of the door; never go boldly through the
centre of the entrance.

http://www.sunypress.edu/p-2238-dogens-pure-standards-for-the-z.aspx

================

Anyway, there are many more. To meet the Abbot is even more formal. Here are the rules for formally greeting the Abbot during certain rituals ...



So, please memorize that when you meet Josho! (Just kidding)

Yes, monastic life is like boot camp, meant to place the ego aside. Other aspects of these rules simply represent Japanese culture, in which all persons are above or below in everything from high school clubs to companies to families, and style of address and mutual behavior does change. One does not talk to one's older brother with the same grammar forms in Japanese as one's younger brother. In the West, we tend to be much much more egalitarian.

Gassho, J

SatTodayLAH

Wow .. yah, we sure have been slacking around here ... better get on it.

Gassho
Shingen

Sat/LAH

[Jundo]

Well, it would be nice if at least you did not scratch or hunt vermin in my presence.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Mp]

Well, it would be nice if at least you did not scratch or hunt vermin in my presence.

Gassho, J

STLah

Deal! =)

Gassho
Shingen

Sat/LAH

[Jundo]

PS - For Japanese culture fans, this video is a parody of Japanese bowing customs. However, the funny thing is it is 70% true!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdlNZJ_TFXU

[Chishou]

If I may share a poem by Uchiyama Roshi:

Just Bow.
Putting my right and left hands together as on, I just bow.
Just bow to become one with Buddha and God.
Just bow to become one with everything I encounter.
Just bow to become one with all the myriad things.
Just bow as life becomes life.

Just bowing,
Chishou.


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