Zazen Services
Zazen services are usually held three times weekly:
Sunday mornings - 10:00am to 12:00 noon
Sunday afternoons - 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Wednesday evenings - 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Services last for approximately two hours and include chanting, seated meditation (zazen), and walking meditation (kinhin). The primary focus of our practice is zazen, therefore the majority of the service is spent in zazen. Kinhin allows us to learn to take the mindfulness that we cultivate during zazen and apply it to the simple movement of walking, which is our first step in taking zazen off of the meditation cushions. Chanting opens and closes the service, helping to regulate the breath and settle the mind.
Our standard order of service (with approximate timings) is:
Chanting in English & Japanese - 10 minutes
Zazen - 40 minutes
Kinhin - 10 minutes
Zazen - 40 minutes
Chanting in Japanese - 10 minutes
Newcomers are always welcome at all of our services. Please wear clothing that is loose and comfortable enough to allow you to sit in a cross-legged position for an extended period of time. Instructions will be provided at appropriate points throughout the service, and cards are provided for those who wish to follow along with the chants.
Tea is usually served after the service, which is a wonderful
opportunity to get to know the teachers and sangha and ask any
questions about the practice.
