Oryoki set, seeking for recommendations

[Myoku]

Dear fellow Treeleafers,
what need I to take care of when going for one, how many bowls, what else to look for ?
This question also goes to Jundo and Taigu in case there are any differences in the lineages,
Thank you & Gassho
Myoku

[Mp]

Dear fellow Treeleafers,
what need I to take care of when going for one, how many bowls, what else to look for ?
This question also goes to Jundo and Taigu in case there are any differences in the lineages,
Thank you & Gassho
Myoku

Thanks for asking this question Myoku, I too would be interested in this as well.

Gassho
Michael

[Shohei]

Hi folks!

I was gifted a very nice set from my wife for Rohatsu/Xmas from here:

http://www.dharma.net/monstore/product_info.php?cPath=21_138&products_id=1774

ory-wood.jpg

The number of bowls etc is a bit different from Rinzai to Soto etc but also you may only need 4 bowls or 3 bowls depending on whats being served and when (and some places may offer a quick how to oryoki before hand).

Hope that helps some.


Gassho
Shohei

[Nindo]

Hi folks!

I was gifted a very nice set from my wife for Rohatsu/Xmas from here:

http://www.dharma.net/monstore/product_info.php?cPath=21_138&products_id=1774

Oooh, lucky you That's the one I have my eyes on, too.

[Jundo]

Yes, it depends what you want to use it for, and how "official" one wishes to be. Do you want a full Soto set sufficient for you to begin practicing at Eiheiji Monastery? That would set a dent in the bank account too (equivalent to maybe US$700 or so for real lacquer, not plastic or the like) ... The following page is in Japanese, but the photos show all the pieces in the Soto array ... Have a look scrolling down here ...

http://softera.jp/?p=304

One point is the the "Buddha Bowl" (the large bowl) has a fully rounded bottom according to tradition ...



... requiring it to rest on a small plate-like stand to sit flat ...



Rinzai sets are a little different in shape and configuration.

To make a long story short, most of the "Oryoki Sets" one would buy online would be different in many ways from all the above ... made of some resilient artificial material, with less bowls, no "round bottom" on the main bowl, not quite "Rinzai" or "Soto" or very any tradition in bowl shape, no "water board" or lacquer "placemat" ... even maybe a fork in place of chopsticks! ... etc. etc. However, most would be fine for basic Practice, skipping a few steps (such as unfolding and placing the "placemat" if not included).

Here, by the way, are Oryoki Instructions from Soto-shu. It is a lovely Practice, in which body-mind is dropped away in the flow of dozens of ballet like movements ... like a dance.

http://global.sotozen-net.or.jp/eng/practice/eating/oryoki/page-1.html

We will Practice an abbreviated form of Oryoki, using a "homemade" Oryoki kit from items around the kitchen, for our Treeleaf 2-Day Rohatsu Retreat in December. Stay tuned for details!



Gassho, Jundo

[Myoku]

Thank you,
I appreciate it, and ... beautiful set Shohei!
Gassho
Myoku

[Taigu]

They cost an absolute fortune here!

Gassho


Taigu