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Day Star Zendo

 

Dogen's Rules For Zazen

 

For zazen, you will need a quiet room. Eat and drink in moderation. Forget about the concerns of the day and leave such matters alone. Do not judge things as good or evil, and cease such distinctions as “is” and “is not.” Halt the flow of the mind, and cease conceptualizing, thinking and observing. Don’t sit in order to become a Buddha (enlightened), because becoming a Buddha has nothing to do with such things as sitting or lying down in the room that you use for zazen, spread some thick mats and place a firm, round pillow on them.

Sit on the pillow with your legs crossed  either in the full-lotus position or in the half-lotus position. This means [in the full-lotus position] that you place your right foot on your left thigh, and your left foot on your right thigh. In the half-lotus position, you just put your left foot on your right thigh [with the right foot on the mat beneath your left thigh]. Loosen your clothes and belt and arrange them neatly. Next, place your right hand [palm up] on top you your left foot, and place your left hand [palm up] in the palm of your right hand. Both thumb tips should touch lightly.

Now regulate your posture so you are sitting properly, leaning neither to the left nor to the right, forward nor backward. Your ears and shoulders should be in a straight line, and from the front your nose will be in a direct line with your navel. Place your tongue against the roof of your mouth, and keep your teeth and lips closed. Your eyes should be slightly open, and your breathing should be soft. When your body posture is correct, breathe in and out, once deeply. Sway left and right several times and then sit firmly and resolutely. Think about the unthinkable. How do you think about the unthinkable? Non-thinking.

 

 

Some books to help you in your practice.

 After the Ecstasy the Laundry – Jack Kornfield
Appreciate Your Life– Taizan Maezumi Roshi
Bringing the Sacred to Life – John Daido Loori Roshi
Living Zen, Loving God – Ruben L.F. Habito
How to Raise an Ox – Francis Dojun Cook
Moon in a Dewdrop – Dogen, Ed. Kazuaki Tanahashi
Not Always So – Shunryu Suzuki
On Zen Practice – Taizan Maezumi and Berni Glassman
Riding the Ox Home – John Daido Loori Roshi
The Flowing Bridge – Elaine MacInnes
The Sacred Art of Bowing – Andi Young
The Three Pillars of Zen – Ed. Philip Kapleau
We Walk the Path Together – Brian J. Pierce, OP
Zen – H.M. Enomiya-LaSalle, SJ (This may be out of print.)
Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind – Shunryu Suzuki
Zen for Christians – Kim Boykin
Zen Flesh, Zen Bones – Paul Reps and Nyogen Senzaki
Zen Gifts to Christians -Robert Kennedy, SJ, Roshi
Zen Spirit, Christian Spirit – Robert Kennedy, SJ, Roshi
Zen Training – Katsuki Sekidayour 

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We are located in Wrentham, Massachusetts

 

Contact us at: info@daystarzendo.org


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