Do We Need A Mokuhyo (or Moktak)

[Talib]

Question

Is a motak used during chants or in that only in the monastery setting?


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[Jundo]

Question

Is a motak used during chants or in that only in the monastery setting?

The Japanese version is called a "Mokugyo," wooden fish, because of the shape. They can be used for home chanting (unless the next door neighbors mind ) but are purely optional, up to what you feel.



The Korean Moktak is good too ...



A nice piece of plain wood that makes a nice sound, and a drum stick also is fine. Or nothing.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Jundo]

PS - I hope it is okay, I moved this to its own thread.

[Rousei]

I have been looking around the second hand stores here looking for a nice big one! Don’t think I need it, but I want it and I’m ok with that.

Gassho
Mark
ST


Buddhists conclude: “I am aware, therefore I neither am nor am not”

[Risho]

I wonder if the Motak is more tender than the Mokugyo. I mean I soaked that think in salt water for hours, and it's still pretty tough to chew. Definitely not my favorite fish; I'd go with Salmon.

Happy Thursday

Gassho

Risho
-stlah

[Talib]

They’re really good for keeping the pace. Chants are done at a certain speed. The sounds let you know to go faster or slower. A steady pace is normal. At least in the Hua Yen school.
In the monastery two of the bigger ones were on each side of the alter. The leader had a bell. So everything had a reason
Anyhoo the moktak I use is like the smaller one.


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[Shokai]

Definitely not my favorite fish;

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[Jundo]

By the way, if ya want to see a MOKUGYO, check out this whale which Kyonin and I encountered during his pilgrimage to Japan, at the successor to Master Dogen's original temple ... Kōshō-ji ...



Gassho, J

STLah

[Rousei]

By the way, if ya want to see a MOKUGYO, check out this whale which Kyonin and I encountered during his pilgrimage to Japan, at the successor to Master Dogen's original temple ... Kōshō-ji ...

This is amazing and I want it! We have quite a few antique stores around me, but the few I saw already had 'sold' notices on! I'm keeping my eye out!

I like the idea of drums (or anything to keep rhythm) in groups because they can really help everyone feel more comfortable with when to chant, which in turn makes them chant louder. (Certainly does that for me)

Gassho
Mark
ST

[Jundo]

This is amazing and I want it!

Do not be attached to "Zen stuff" and trinkets. It is just more stuff, material possessions. Stuff and toys are not needed for Just Sitting and Zen Practice.

In any case, you wife might object to that thing in the living room or garage.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Risho]

It's ok, we'll put in the living room right where we have this thing. I won it years ago in a contest, and my wife hates it!

182DE47D-4F18-4098-B410-483827D71B1A_4_5005_c.jpeg

Gassho

Risho
-stlah

[Tairin]

Stuff and toys are not needed for Just Sitting and Zen Practice.

That’s exactly how I feel. From time to time I am tempted to buy some Zen or Buddhist trinket but then question my motivation. Inevitably I remind myself that it is just stuff and not critical to my practice.


Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Jundo]

That’s exactly how I feel. From time to time I am tempted to buy some Zen or Buddhist trinket but then question my motivation. Inevitably I remind myself that it is just stuff and not critical to my practice.


Tairin
Sat today and lah

And yet, and yet ... I must confess to being a bit of a hypocrite on this, as I always have an eye for Zen and Buddhist things in second hand stores and such around here in Japan. Our Zendo and my house are filled with little Buddha statues, bells, incense burners and other stuff ... mokugyo too.

This is a case where I just have to think that, if I lost all the stuff, it would still be okay. So, I am not too attached to the stuff.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Bion]

And yet, and yet ... I must confess to being a bit of a hypocrite on this, as I always have an eye for Zen and Buddhist things in second hand stores and such around here in Japan. Our Zendo and my house are filled with little Buddha statues, bells, incense burners and other stuff ... mokugyo too.

This is a case where I just have to think that, if I lost all the stuff, it would still be okay. So, I am not too attached to the stuff.

Gassho, J

STLah

Ha! I saw your previous post earlier and genuinely said to myself (in your voice) : “and yet.. and yet… “ [emoji23]

[emoji1374] SatToday

[Tairin]

And yet, and yet ... I must confess to being a bit of a hypocrite on this, as I always have an eye for Zen and Buddhist things in second hand stores and such around here in Japan. Our Zendo and my house are filled with little Buddha statues, bells, incense burners and other stuff ... mokugyo too.

This is a case where I just have to think that, if I lost all the stuff, it would still be okay. So, I am not too attached to the stuff.

Gassho, J

STLah

I am the guy who would be found standing in front of a row of identical Buddha statues trying to pick the best one.

Sometimes the best way to put down one’s baggage is to not pick it up in the first place. For me it is better to keep it simple and limit the accoutrements.


Tairin
Sat today and lah