Sesshin Guidelines (Diamond Sangha)
This document describes organizational details of sesshin (a Zen meditation retreat) as practiced by members of the Sydney Zen Center of the Diamond Sangha tradition
At sesshin, we separate ourselves from our daily affairs and sink deeply into the question, "What is my essential nature
" In these special circumstances, we hold the conviction, "I, too, a human being like Shakyamuni Buddha and all succeeding founding teachers, may attain to my own fullest potential as an enlightened person."
At sesshin, we are free to be true to our hearts. We are free to transcend the background chatter of our busy, superficial minds, and to see into the fact of our own nature. After this realisation, sesshin offers us the chance to make great progress on the broad path of maturity.
The procedures outlined below are designed to provide the optimum setting for true Zen training for everyone attending this sesshin. If you have heard all this before, please listen carefully again with beginner”s mind.
l. THE THREE ESSENTIALS OF SESSHIN;
l) Don”t talk or whisper.
2) Don”t look around.
3) Don”t indulge in social greetings.
These strictures are designed to free you of everyday concerns and make it easier to keep your zazen attention and awareness in everything that you do.
If it is absolutely necessary for you to talk to a work leader - please do so as quietly and succinctly as possible.
Don”t write notes to anyone, especially the cooks. Don”t seek or give counsel to your brother and sister students.
If you have any problem about logistics please refer to the Jisha. If you have any other problems, such as illness, an emergency or a personal problem, please refer to the Tanto. Unless there is an urgent emergency, wait until the break period before approaching the leader.
Avoid eye contact with other people. Don”t bother to gassho to each other, and don”t bother with the normal courtesies such as waiting for another at doorways. The first to the doorway should simply go straight through.
2. SCHEDULE AND SEATING ARRANGEMENTS;
The schedule and seating plan for the dojo are both posted outside the door.
Please keep strictly to your allocated place and don”t interfere with anyone else”s mats or cushions.
3. CLOTHING:
Clothing should be plain and dark coloured, preferably black. It should be loose-fitting. Don”t wear shorts or singlets as shoulders should be covered. You may keep a jumper neatly folded at your place in case of cold weather. Don”t use blankets to drape around yourself. Shoes: Shoes should be removed before you step up onto the verandah and placed on the shoe shelf to keep the verandah quiet and clean. When you leave the dojo, collect your shoes and sit on the verandah edge to put them on. The shoe shelf is just for shoes. Hats and coats take up too much space.
4. WATCHES:
Unless you have a job which requires wearing a watch (leaders and cooks) don”t wear one. Sesshin gives you a rare chance to forget time.
5. PERFUMES & LOTIONS:
Don”t wear strong-smelling perfume or aftershave. It can be distracting to your brothers and sisters. Insect repellant and sunscreen is provided.
6. PROMPTNESS AND ATTENDANCE;
Always be at your place early, and do not leave until you have been given the signal to do so. Do not enter or leave the dojo during periods of zazen or during ceremonies or talks. Always attend every group function. If some extreme emergency arises, speak to the Tanto about it. Do not ask to leave just because you are upset. Such times can be important for your zazen. Your absence would inevitably disturb the group spirit. Never leave without speaking first with the Tanto. If you do, we will be obliged to search for you to be sure that you are all right, or even to suspend the sesshi…
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