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around the Butsudan to reach your seat. Pick up the tray; walk to the rear door, open it, and with
the tray in your hands, bow into the room before leaving.
Daruma-kata aiki class
At 8:45 a.m., a kata class takes place in the first floor Zendo. There is a warning strike on the
densho (bell) to summon students, but if you are in another part of the building you may not hear
it so please be down a few minutes early.
9:30 a.m. General Sitting
If you are beginning your retreat by attending the general sitting, you will need to arrive by 9:05
to allow yourself time to put your belongings away and be given any instruction necessary.
Please be ready to enter the Hatto and begin kinhin by 9:15, at First Bell.
The general sitting ends at 11:45, at which time the doshi (senior leading the sitting) will
announce that you will remain in the Hatto to continue your retreat. All other students will leave
the room. You will need to move the kaishaku (wooden clappers), clock, and gong to your seat if
this is not done for you. If you are sitting your retreat alone, you can sit in the shinsu's seat, which
is located in the right front corner of the Hatto. If two or more students are sitting a retreat the
senior-most student should sit in the shinsus seat to serve as jikido (time-keeper for the sitting
round) and operate the tape player; the other students can seat themselves next to each other, in
the seats next to Jinmyo osho's seat. If you are not sure who is senior please ask a practice advisor
or Dharma Teacher as the senior-most student will also open the Butsudan and lead other
movements in the practice room.
Having seated yourself, you will need to begin a sitting round. Strike the kaishaku once
to begin the round, and then strike the gong three times. With the first strike, bow forward,
exhaling. With the second strike, straighten, inhaling. With the third strike, exhale and settle into
balance point (1/16 of an inch back from what you think straight is - considered to be an
optimal posture for sitting because it will help you to stay alert).
Noon Meal
At 12:00 noon, you will hear a bell rung outside the rear door of the Hatto indicating that
your tray has been placed there. Please consult the instructions concerning breakfast for the forms
used.
Kitchen Cleanup
If the kitchen door is closed, this indicates that it is in use and you will therefore need to
wash your dishes in the Dining Hall. You can leave the clean dishes on the tray, standing on the
counter next to the kitchen door.
If the door is open, please wash your dishes in the kitchen, along with any pots, pans, and
implements used to prepare your meal. There is a set of instructions for kitchen cleanup mounted
on the wall next to the sink. Please adhere to them as closely as possible. If you are continuing
your retreat, please leave the tray in the kitchen on the counter next to the door, ready for the next
meal.
Free Period
After you have finished cleaning your dishes, you will have a free period until 1:30. This
is not a break or recreation period but rather an unstructured time in which to extend your
practice. You can make yourself some tea or coffee if you wish If you have requested and have
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