Zendo Etiquette & Guidelines

Hokoji is a ‘family style’ practice center, there is no disciplinarian, just the joy of the opportunity to sit in meditation with the community of fellow practitioners (sangha).
The many forms which are used in monastic settings are not typically used here, however the energetic of both form and formless are imbued in the actualization of this Way.
If you are new to this type of Themeless Meditation (shikantaza or zazen), simply take your seat, face the wall, sit up straight, relax and remain present as though you are sitting under a tree looking out across your favorite lake.
During zazen do not fabricate or objectify what is appearing in your mind, just remain Present and Aware regardless of what comes up.
Silence is the compassionate aspect of being together in the meditation hall (zendo).
Some forms are helpful to maintain a continuity of meditation as a prequel to ceaseless meditation.

Entering and Exiting:

The bell for zazen rings promptly (5:30pm on Thursdays; 7:50am on Sunday half-day mediation). Please arrive at least 5 minutes early to meditation.
Out of respect for your fellow practitioners and the practice, if you are late, please enter very quietly after the 5:30 bell, longer than twelve minutes late, please quietly sit in the entryway and join the walking meditation.
Remove shoes in the entryway.
Please keep your phone in silent mode (not on vibrate) or refrain from bringing it into the zendo.

Enter and depart quietly. If you must enter or leave once sitting has begun, be as unobtrusive as possible. During kinhin (walking meditation between sitting periods) is the preferable time to enter late or depart early.
Enter and depart through the left side of the curtain as you face it (south side of the curtain when entering, north side when departing).
Upon entering the zendo take a step in and give a quick, mindful bow to the space. Then walk directly to your seat. Bow once to your seat, turn around and bow to the sangha. Then take your seat and face the wall.
While walking fast or slow in the zendo keep your arms and hands held in a conscious manner.

Various postures are available depending on your preference: zafus for sitting cross-legged, seiza benches for kneeling, and chairs. In all postures, your pelvis should be higher in the back than the front, keep your spine upright, your ears and shoulders should be on one line, relax your shoulders and push up towards the ceiling with the back of your head, pull your chin in or think of it as pulling your ears back to open the back of your neck. Take a full breath and relax a bit. Zazen is a dynamic posture.
Let cognition dissipate; become Present and Aware without construing thoughts about what is arising.
We typically hold our hands in the "cosmic mudra": Left hand on top of your right, middle joints of your middle fingers together, touch your thumbs lightly together (as if you held a piece of paper between them), your hands will make an oval. Your hands should be held against your body, with your thumbs at about the height of your navel. Hold your arms freely and easily, and slightly away from your body, as if you held an egg under each arm. You can also lay your hands on your thighs, or simply in your lap.
Your whole posture is a mudra.

Kinhin is a continuation of seated meditation.
Rise directly from your seat and begin kinhin. If there is room, spread out a little bit.
Walk slowly with your breath. Lift one foot with the inhalation, set your heel down with the exhalation; a slight pause, do not rock back, always keep a forward motion. Upright posture, eyes half open, feet shoulder width apart, half steps.
Hands are held in the shashu mudra: Left hand wrapped around its thumb; right hand draped over the left. This is held at your solar plexus, elbows out.
When the bell rings to end kinhin bring your feet together and bow from the waist with your hands held in the shashu mudra, then return quickly to your seat.

Sit at your seat facing in.
The Guiding Teacher typically presents some verbal and energetic aspect of the practice, followed by group dialogue.
After the dialogue, everyone stands and straightens their seat. Then a bow to the seat, turning to face each other, a bow to each other.
The Guiding Teacher is the first to leave the zendo, followed by everyone else.

Putting shoes back on is a good time to say Hello and to ask a question if you wish.

Thursday Evening Meditation

5:30pm - 3 bells begin zazen

6:00pm - 2 bells begin kinhin

6:10pm - 1 bell ends kinhin

Sangha seated for Dharma discussion

Sunday Half-Day Meditation

7:50am - 3 bells begin zazen

8:30 - 2 bells begin kinhin

8:40 - 1 bell ends kinhin / 3 bells begin zazen

9:20 - 2 bells begin kinhin

9:30 - 1 bell ends kinhin / 3 bells begin zazen

10:00am - 2 bells begin kinhin

10:10am - 1 bell ends kinhin / 3 bells begin zazen

10:40am - 2 bells begin kinhin

10:50am - 1 bell ends kinhin

Sangha seated for Dharma Discussion, followed by light cleaning of zendo.