Question re: Samu practice

[Onka]

G'day folks
I'm wondering if there is a Sutra or something else that is recited before undertaking our daily Samu practice?
Thanks in advance.
Gassho
Anna

ST

[Kokuu]

Hi Anna

Good question! As far as I know there isn't but Jundo might know better!

You can bow to the task before starting and again at the end if you wish to show respect.

There are some short gathas (mindfulness verses) that may be used during certain daily tasks to be found in our Treeleaf Retreat Chant Book:

Verse On Entering Bath

Bathing the body,
may all living beings
be clean in body and mind,
pure and shining within and without.


Verse For Tooth Brushing

Brushing my teeth and rinsing my mouth,
I vow to speak purely and lovingly.
When my mouth is fragrant with
right speech,
A flower blooms in the garden of the heart.


Verse For Face/Hand Washing

Washing the face/hands,
I vow with all beings
To pierce the pure Dharma gate
Forever undefiled


Verse On Entering Toilet

Defiled or immaculate,
increasing or decreasing--
these concepts exist only in our mind.
The reality of interbeing is unsurpassed.


Verse After Each Of The Foregoing

Using the (bath / tooth brush/ wash basin / toilet)
I vow with all beings
To pierce defilement
clearing greed, anger and ignorance.


Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday-

[Jundo]

As Kokuu says, a simple Gassho, before and after, is enough.

Yes, you could recite ... or even create a Gatha for any activity (just let it be heartfelt, meaningful, even a little humor is fine). Yes, one can make their own Gatha for ANYTHING ... which is exactly what Treeleafers have done for fun and personal inspiration ...

https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?6917-Gathas

Gassho, J

STLah

[Gukan]

Yes, you could recite ... or even create a Gatha for any activity (just let it be heartfelt, meaningful, even a little humor is fine). Yes, one can make their own Gatha for ANYTHING ... which is exactly what Treeleafers have done for fun and personal inspiration ...

https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?6917-Gathas

Some of the gathas on that thread are just great! Thanks Jundo for linking to this, which I hadn’t seen before. While small in form, a good gatha can really pack a mighty mighty punch.

Thank you for this question, Anna.

Gassho,
Libby
ST

Edited to add that I just remembered Thich Nhat Hanh has one to say when hugging your kids and the first time I mindfully applied it I almost burst into tears, it was so beautifully overwhelming. I’ll try and dig it out.

[Tai Shi]

I sometimes recite The Heart Sutra before sitting practice Shikantaza vow to just sit.


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[Onka]

Thank you Kokuu and Jundo
Gassho
Anna
ST

[Tai Shi]

The Robe Verse is appropriate, and part of the opening chants of Zazenkai and simple bowing and if able full body to floor. The later is impossible for me so I simple bend from my waist.
Tai Shi
sat/lah
Gassho


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[Jundo]

The Robe Verse is appropriate, and part of the opening chants of Zazenkai and simple bowing and if able full body to floor. The later is impossible for me so I simple bend from my waist.
Tai Shi
sat/lah
Gassho


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Of course, we do usually take off the Rakusu for Samu involving physical labor where it may become dirty, so would not wear it.

A Koan: The Rakusu is beyond "clean" or "dirty," and cannot possibly become sullied ... yet try not to get it dirty!

Gassho, J

STlah

[Washin]

Of course, we do usually take off the Rakusu for Samu involving physical labor where it may become dirty, so would not wear it.

.. Or one can tie the Rakusu up with Shiken belt. When at sesshin I saw some elder monks doing that though I'd still not recommend it if one is involved in some labor with dirt.
IMG_2491.JPG

Gassho,
Washin
sat/lah

[Jakuden]

.. Or one can tie the Rakusu up with Shiken belt. When at sesshin I saw some elder monks doing that though I'd still not recommend it if one is involved in some labor with dirt.
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Gassho,
Washin
sat/lah

Oh interesting! That’s pretty wild how he has it tied.

Gassho
Jakuden
SatToday


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[Shinshi]

Oh interesting! That’s pretty wild how he has it tied.

Gassho
Jakuden
SatToday


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As I understand it that is the Rinzai style.

Gassho, Shinshi

SaT-LaH

[Jundo]

As I understand it that is the Rinzai style.

Gassho, Shinshi

SaT-LaH

Muho of Antaiji wore things that way sometimes too, and he is quite Soto ...



I am not sure about the tradition in Soto Zen, so I will ask at the SZBA and report back. It is not so common.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Shonin Risa Bear]

Upaya has a samu gatha

http://https://www.upaya.org/teachin...gy/samu-gatha/

Gassho
Doyu sat and lah today

Addendum: corrected URL per Kokuu, below: https://www.upaya.org/teachings/liturgy/samu-gatha/

[Kokuu]

Thanks, Doyū!

I think you missed a colon in the URL: https://www.upaya.org/teachings/liturgy/samu-gatha/

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday/lah-

[Shonin Risa Bear]

Oh, it shortened it! That's what I get for using the iPad indiscriminately. Don't see well enough to be doing that and got hasty. _()_

gassho
doyu sat/lah