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been given the combination for the front or side door locks, you can sit outside, or walk about the
grounds but you should not leave the grounds. If you have not been given the combination, it is
wise to stay inside or you may inadvertently be locked out. All of the doors should remain locked
at all times. You may sit in the Dining Hall or in the Shuryo, but should not read anything. If you
encounter other students, apply functional talking - meaning that you should only express what
really needs to be expressed - for example, to ask a relevant question. (For further information on
the use of speech, please refer to the section of the Retreat Handbook entitled Functional
Talking). This free period allows enough time for retreatants to shower.
Samu Period
At 1:30, please go to the Dining Hall to recite the Samu Chant (Samu-no-ge: Verse of
Caretaking). If there is no one available to lead you in the chant, recite it while standing before
the Butsudan in the Dining Hall.
Before the Buddhas and Awakened Ancestors,
standing in the midst of all beings,
I vow to dedicate this caretaking practice
to the liberation of all beings.
May all beings be happy, may they be peaceful,
may they be free.
May all beings be happy, may they be peaceful,
may they be free.
May all beings be happy, may they be peaceful,
may they be free.
From 1:30 until 2:40 you will be engaged in a samu task. The task will either be given to you
verbally, or written instructions will be left on the counter in the Dining Hall, in front of the
Butsudan.
Please be sure to finish on time (including putting away any materials associated with the
task) by 2:40 to allow a 15-minute free period.
Preparation for the Afternoon Sitting
You will need to go to the Hatto at 2:55 to light the candles and set up the tape player before the
afternoon sitting.
Open the left-hand door of the Butsudan by gently pressing on the door to release the
push latch and, using the stone and matches provided, light the candles. Place the burnt match in
the small blue and white Chinese bowl. If you need new candles, you will find a replacement set
on the glass shelf outside the rear door of the Hatto.
The tape player may have been set out for you on the counter outside the Hatto. If not, it
is stored in the black cabinet on the second floor landing. Please carry the tape player into the
Hatto and plug it into the outlet next to the shinsu's seat in the far right corner at the front of the
room. If you are sitting alone, this will be the seat you will be sitting in, so you can simply reach
over and turn on the tape player. If you are sitting with others, the senior-most student would sit
in the shinsus seat to serve as jikido (time-keeper for the sitting round) and to operate the tape
player; other students would sit in the seats to the right of Jinmyo oshos seat. The tape or CD you
are to listen to will be on the glass shelf above the sink outside the rear door of the Hatto and you
should insert it into the machine in advance as you will need to listen to it during your first sitting
round.
Finally, make sure that the kaishaku, clock, and gong are placed properly. You should
have completed this and be in the Hatto ready to resume sitting by 3:00 p.m.
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