Beyond the basics: what should I explore next?
Once you've attended Getting Started in Zen Practice, established your own practice and become familiar with the basics of zazen, work, study and ritual, you may wonder what to do next. At Sanshin, there's no curriculum, no set of requirements, and no expectations that you will do or achieve any particular thing. The Sanshin style of practice relies on our own bodhicitta, or mind of awakening, rather than on a system of milestones that would carry us along in a passive way. We're driven by our own interest in and committment to learning more about the dharma and practicing as bodhisattvas in this samsaric world on fire.
Some folks eventually decide to take lay precepts or even to ordain as novices and prepare to become clergy, but those are just options and opportunities. Sincere lay practice is completely meaningful and valuable as it is, and is not necessarily a stepping stone to anything else. Buddha's sangha consisted of laymen and laywomen as well as monks and nuns. Deepening our aspiration and the practice we already have is really Job One.
That doesn't mean we don't have suggestions for practitioners who want to continue to explore the Soto Zen tradition. There's plenty of content here on Sanshin Source with which to continue your investigation, and plenty of opportunities for more intensive practice in the zendo. We'll continue to add resources here for the practitioner that's gone beyond the basics and wants to learn more. Choose your own direction and plunge in.
Some folks eventually decide to take lay precepts or even to ordain as novices and prepare to become clergy, but those are just options and opportunities. Sincere lay practice is completely meaningful and valuable as it is, and is not necessarily a stepping stone to anything else. Buddha's sangha consisted of laymen and laywomen as well as monks and nuns. Deepening our aspiration and the practice we already have is really Job One.
That doesn't mean we don't have suggestions for practitioners who want to continue to explore the Soto Zen tradition. There's plenty of content here on Sanshin Source with which to continue your investigation, and plenty of opportunities for more intensive practice in the zendo. We'll continue to add resources here for the practitioner that's gone beyond the basics and wants to learn more. Choose your own direction and plunge in.
ZazenGradually increase your sitting time until you're sitting for at least one 50-minute period per day. Join the sangha for zazen in person or virtually six days a week. (Hearing the announcements every morning also keeps you abreast of day to day happenings at Sanshin.)
Participate in one-day sittings as offered, whether in person or virtually. Participate in Introduction to Sesshin as offered, and become very familiar with Facing the Wall, Facing Ourselves (e-booklet forthcoming) and the Sesshin section of Sanshin Source. Participate in one or more of the four sesshin on Sanshin's annual calendar(March, June, September, December). If you're not physically close to Sanshin and are practicing at home, review the Sanshin Solo page of this website. StudyLook over the offerings from our Dogen Institute, which makes available teachings from our founder, Shohaku Okumura.
Watch Hoko's Introduction to Dogen series, one of the most-watched offerings on our channel. For reflection and discussion Below are three series of essays or topics designed for one-at-a-time consideration and exploration. You might read one of these per week and discuss with a group, write a journal entry, or do further background research on the topic to turn up additional resources. I Vow with All Beings 108 Gates of Dharma Illumination Buddhist Essentials Participate in our weekly drop-in book discussion either in person or virtually. At the moment, we're reading Uchiyama Roshi's Roots of Goodness. We read aloud and discuss; no homework assignments and folks come as they can. |
WorkRitualParticipate in liturgy on weekday mornings, whether in person or virtually, using our chant book. Become very familiar with or memorize the texts. (Hearing the announcements every morning also keeps you abreast of day to day happenings at Sanshin.)
Become very familiar with the zendo forms used for zazen, liturgy and sesshin. Learn about altars and set up and practice with an altar at home. Learn to use oryoki and take formal meals. See the Food Practice during Sesshin section of this Sesshin page. Learn to serve as ino or tenzo. |
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Coming in 2026:
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