The Sitting Hall

[Myozan Kodo]

Re: The Sitting Hall

Hi Shawn,
That looks great.
Gassho
Soen

[ChrisA]

Re: The Sitting Hall

Does anyone with Google+ up and running sit in the 6-7a (GMT-4h, or 2-3a GMT) zone? I'm going to give it a go one of these days.

[Dokan]

Re: The Sitting Hall

I think GMT-4 is same as Shohei in Halifax...so you can keep up with the sits here:


https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?s ... ca/Halifax


I will post up my regular sitting time which is normally 05:30 GMT-6 however this is just after you'll be finishing.

Gassho,

Shawn

[ChrisA]

Re: The Sitting Hall

Thanks for the link! I can sometimes delay until later in the morning. Will keep an eye out.

[ChrisA]

Re: The Sitting Hall

Gave the Hangout a try with my older daughter and everything seems to work just fine (though my speakers are lousy). So... now what? I can't seem to add anything to the calendar link, and I'm not quite sure what to do once I'm in there hanging out: just set up the video link, note to G+ that I'm doing so, and sit?

FWIW, I'm heading in there around 8:15 EST for a 30m sit. I'll check here beforehand and then do as I've said above.

[Dokan]

Re: Re: The Sitting Hall

So... now what? I can't seem to add anything to the calendar link,

Shohei has to add our Gmail accounts to be editors so we can add our times.

and I'm not quite sure what to do once I'm in there hanging out: just set up the video link, note to G+ that I'm doing so, and sit?

Honestly I don't believe there is a strict guideline here. I see some come in and sit or are already sitting when the video comes on. For me, I turn on the camera and then go through my normal zazen steps.

-put on the okesa
-chant verse of the kesa
-sit on zafu and offer incense
-recite heart sutra
-ring zazen bells
-zazen
-ring bell to either end or start kinhin
-after ending i recite verse of atonement and vows
- adlib anything else on my mind like recitation of emmei jukku kannon gyo or metta verses

But in the end I think its really up to you and what you feel comfortable with. Whatever your normal zazen is like really.

As a side note. I come into the Hangout with my microphone and sound both muted. This way I can't disturb nor be disturbed.

Others may have other suggestions which may help as well.

Gassho

Shawn

[Jundo]

Re: Re: The Sitting Hall

-put on the okesa
-chant verse of the kesa
-sit on zafu and offer incense
-recite heart sutra
-ring zazen bells
-zazen
-ring bell to either end or start kinhin
-after ending i recite verse of atonement and vows
- adlib anything else on my mind like recitation of emmei jukku kannon gyo or metta verses

But in the end I think its really up to you and what you feel comfortable with. Whatever your normal zazen is like really.

This is a lovely home liturgy ritual. Wonderful.

Just one point of procedure, if I may ...

Usually put on the Rakusu/Kesa after we recite the Kesa Verse, not before (actually, we recite the Kesa Verse with the Rakusu/Kesa on the top of the head).

Why, you may ask? .... hmmm ... hmmmm, why???? ....

TAIGU, TAIGU ... HELP!!!!!! 8)

Gassho, J

[Taigu]

Re: The Sitting Hall

Hi Shawn,

As pointed by Jundo, it is important to recite kesa verse with kesa on top of your head and hands in gassho and then put it on.
Your ceremony sounds lovely but I would not sing the Heart sutra before sitting but after sitting along with whatever you find suitable.
Why on the head? Why before?

I don't know. There must be a reason (could refer to the old legend of babies born with a placenta-kesa covering their heads, could show we put the Buddha's body above our body or rather, we support by our practice the very practice of Buddha, or we merge Buddha and flesh as one...) Just the way we do it.


gassho

Taigu

[Tb]

Re: The Sitting Hall

I also think it would be great for the Teaparty Fugen.

Hi.

Once it is stable, available on the phones (skype is available on those, don't know about this one), and all that would want to join are in a circle, then sure, we can try it!
I am waiting for the Tekku Geekuguy to help me here though... :roll:

Mtfbwy
Fugen

[roky]

Re: Re: The Sitting Hall

i was muting, then found that i liked hearing people cough, etc. -- more like a real sitting hall -- i just turn the volume down

roky

[Hoyu]

Re: The Sitting Hall

Taigu wrote:
As pointed by Jundo, it is important to recite kesa verse with kesa on top of your head and hands in gassho and then put it on.

Hi All,
I have a question on the wearing of Okesa. From what I've understood it is only permissible for ordained priests to wear them. Is this so? I know that every place has their own "rules and regulations". What is Treeleaf's stance on who, how, and when someone is permitted to make and or wear one?

Gassho,
John

[ChrisA]

Re: Re: The Sitting Hall

i was muting, then found that i liked hearing people cough, etc. -- more like a real sitting hall -- i just turn the volume down

I was wondering about that too: I muted myself but then realized that I kinda hoped no one else did. Sounds are often a sort of katsu for me in zazen, bringing me back to the here/now....

[Myoku]

Re: The Sitting Hall

I have both Mic and Speaker on, as I'm together with each one of you, with all your noises I think everybody should do as he wants, as everyone else is free to mute the speakers when he/she feels disturbed, so I think its best to NOT try to predict what others prefer
_()_
Peter

[Dokan]

Re: The Sitting Hall

Usually put on the Rakusu/Kesa after we recite the Kesa Verse, not before (actually, we recite the Kesa Verse with the Rakusu/Kesa on the top of the head).

As pointed by Jundo, it is important to recite kesa verse with kesa on top of your head and hands in gassho and then put it on.

Absolutely! My apologies for my mistype. Actually my kesa steps are:

- Kneel in gassho on zabuton
- Pick up kesa in both hands and bow, touching it to my head thrice
- Place upon head with long tie hanging on right side
- Gassho & recite the verse of the kesa
- Place kesa on left shoulder with long tie hanging on front
- Follow procedure to unfold and tie

Your ceremony sounds lovely but I would not sing the Heart sutra before sitting but after sitting along with whatever you find suitable.

I think my chanting of the Heart Sutra before zazen was based upon the liturgical proceedings within zazenkai. Afterwards is just as suitable for me. Thank you for the suggestion, I will give it a try.

Why on the head? Why before?

I have read several thoughts about this but honestly I think it just makes logical sense. If my hands are in gassho for the recitation, where else would I put it!? Plus it helps me to maintain a mindfulness of it because sometimes it's hard to balance.

Thank you both so very much for your guidance. Apologies again for the incorrect ordering!

Many bows,

Shawn

[Dokan]

Re: The Sitting Hall

I have both Mic and Speaker on, as I'm together with each one of you, with all your noises I think everybody should do as he wants, as everyone else is free to mute the speakers when he/she feels disturbed, so I think its best to NOT try to predict what others prefer
_()_
Peter

Great point. I may have to try putting my speakers on. I do like the idea of knowing someone is there and their presence. As my laptop is normally to the back right of me I generally can't tell when someone comes or leaves.

As for having my mic on, you haven't heard my chanting so you may change your thoughts on that afterwards.

Gassho,

Shawn