Preparing to train in the senmon sodo
Practice in the senmon sodo is designed for people who are fit and healthy in body and mind. There is no provision for accommodating fatigue, stiffness, chronic conditions, mental health issues, sleep disturbances, special diets or other individual needs or preferences. Practice leaders are not unkind or unsympathetic, but the assumption is that if you’re enrolled there, you are able to fully participate, carry out your responsibilities, and take care of yourself without causing trouble for others. The expectations for everyone are the same.
As soon as you apply to the senmon sodo, begin working on the following.
Physical conditioning
Practice is physically demanding, including work assignments, sitting in seiza for extended periods, doing multiple full bows, etc. There are 38 bows in choka (morning service) alone. Tatami are hard, services spent sitting in seiza last 45 minutes to an hour, and you will not be using a zafu or zabuton in the hatto (dharma hall). In the sodo (zazen hall), your zafu may be too small and flat for a larger North American frame, and in fact you may wish to bring your own. No benches or chairs will be available.
Implementing a daily regimen of stretching, walking, exercise or some kind of physical activity well before you go to Japan is highly recommended. It’s helpful to get the body used to sitting zazen on a zafu and sitting seiza on tatami, as well as being aware of what to do when feet or legs go to sleep and it’s time to get up and quickly go on to the next activity.
On a related note, now is the time to start weaning yourself from any dependancies you may have. Coffee may or may not be available, though green tea will be offered several times a day. Smoking is typically allowed (outside) but not encouraged. In addition to contributing to the very real threat of catastrophic fire in old wooden buildings, it compromises your ability to chant wholeheartely and maintain the level of physical activity required. If you’re on medications, you’ll need to bring enough for the entire duration of your stay, as it’s unlikely you can run to the local pharmacy to refill prescriptions.
Memorization
Life will be much easier for you if you’re already familiar with the liturgy, especially when there’s an activity happening at the same time: chanting while bowing or while handling oryoki bowls, etc. In addition, it’s often too dark in the hatto in the morning to read your sutra book.
If you’re unfamiliar with the cadence of Japanese or Sino-Sanskrit chanting, find someone who has trained in Japan to teach you before you start memorizing words. You will need to chant these texts with the correct cadence, and it’s much easier to learn them properly from the outset than to unlearn incorrect habits.
Committing the following entirely to memory is highly recommended. Become familiar enough with all other chants to read them out very quickly.’
Japanese words and phrases
The more Japanese you know, the less trouble you will be to others. There may or may not be someone around to translate for you at any given time and explain what’s going on. Learning the following is highly recommended.
Your robes and books
Become completely familiar with the use, handling and storage of your practice belongings. You will need to take them out, use them and put them away quickly and skillfully in the midst of a group.
As soon as you apply to the senmon sodo, begin working on the following.
Physical conditioning
Practice is physically demanding, including work assignments, sitting in seiza for extended periods, doing multiple full bows, etc. There are 38 bows in choka (morning service) alone. Tatami are hard, services spent sitting in seiza last 45 minutes to an hour, and you will not be using a zafu or zabuton in the hatto (dharma hall). In the sodo (zazen hall), your zafu may be too small and flat for a larger North American frame, and in fact you may wish to bring your own. No benches or chairs will be available.
Implementing a daily regimen of stretching, walking, exercise or some kind of physical activity well before you go to Japan is highly recommended. It’s helpful to get the body used to sitting zazen on a zafu and sitting seiza on tatami, as well as being aware of what to do when feet or legs go to sleep and it’s time to get up and quickly go on to the next activity.
On a related note, now is the time to start weaning yourself from any dependancies you may have. Coffee may or may not be available, though green tea will be offered several times a day. Smoking is typically allowed (outside) but not encouraged. In addition to contributing to the very real threat of catastrophic fire in old wooden buildings, it compromises your ability to chant wholeheartely and maintain the level of physical activity required. If you’re on medications, you’ll need to bring enough for the entire duration of your stay, as it’s unlikely you can run to the local pharmacy to refill prescriptions.
Memorization
Life will be much easier for you if you’re already familiar with the liturgy, especially when there’s an activity happening at the same time: chanting while bowing or while handling oryoki bowls, etc. In addition, it’s often too dark in the hatto in the morning to read your sutra book.
If you’re unfamiliar with the cadence of Japanese or Sino-Sanskrit chanting, find someone who has trained in Japan to teach you before you start memorizing words. You will need to chant these texts with the correct cadence, and it’s much easier to learn them properly from the outset than to unlearn incorrect habits.
Committing the following entirely to memory is highly recommended. Become familiar enough with all other chants to read them out very quickly.’
- Takkesa ge
- Makahannya Haramita Shingyo
- Daihi Shini Darani
- Gojushichibutsu, plus your own lineage from Keizan Zenji to your teacher
- Ryakusanbo no ge
- Shigu Seiganmon
- Enmei Jukku Kannon Gyo
- Seizai ge
- Jikiji Kaju
- Tenpatsu no ge
- Nenju
- Sejiki no ge
- Gokan no ge
- Shussan no ge
- Kuyo no ge
- San ku jiki ge
- Sessui no ge
- Tanbutsu no ge - Shokuji ge
- Makahannya Haramitsu
- Shosaimyo Kichijo Darani
- Rakanpai Shogo (depending on where you train)
Japanese words and phrases
The more Japanese you know, the less trouble you will be to others. There may or may not be someone around to translate for you at any given time and explain what’s going on. Learning the following is highly recommended.
- Polite phrases. You will communicate in the humblest and most polite forms possible most of the time. You can use informal language with those who rank lower than you -- but there will not be many of these folks, if any.
- Relations between things: before, after here, there, more, behind, on top of, etc.
- Basic verbs: sweep, wipe, carry, cook, bring/take, come/go, etc.
- Confirmations: yes, I understand, it’s OK, it’s fine, I’m ready, I can do it, etc.
- Numbers: There is more than one system of numbers and each is used for a different purpose. Be sure you can read or hear and understand time of day, date, day of the week, how many of something.
- Your name: Be sure that you can read and write your name in kanji. You will need to be able to find your own labeled seat in the zendo and your belongings, and read a schedule of work assignments.
Your robes and books
Become completely familiar with the use, handling and storage of your practice belongings. You will need to take them out, use them and put them away quickly and skillfully in the midst of a group.
- Okesa/rakusu: putting on, taking off, bowing while wearing, putting away, carrying and storing
- Zagu: daiten, tengu, sokurei, folding, carrying, moving an unfolded zagu during service
- Koromo/jikitotsu, kimono, juban: proper size, wearing and folding
- Oryoki: opening, closing and using for breakfast, lunch and dinner; carrying and storing
- Chant book: handling, holding, carrying and using
