..续本文上一页n or bench for mealtimes.

　　If you feel a sneeze or a cough coming, do not hesitate to cover your mouth., At such times, consideration for others should be your first concern.

　　From time to time during the sesshin day, the Jikki Jitsu will say, "please sit facing in". Those in the centre block cannot do this. Just stay as you are.

　　Kinhin

　　(Tanto speaks, Jikki and other leaders demonstrate:)

　　When you hear the bell ring twice, it is time for kinhin.

　　Still sitting on your cushion, bow.

　　Rock gently from side to side.

　　Turn around on your cushion in the direction of the altar.

　　Stand up and place your hands in kinhin position. If your foot has gone to sleep, be careful when standing. It”s all right to stay sitting down until you can safely stand. If you can”t join the kinhin line when it begins, wait on your cushion until your place comes back. Then gassho and join the line.

　　Gassho when you hear the Jikki”s clappers. Turn to your left and start walking. The Jikki sets the pace. Please keep up with the person in front.

　　Keep your head up and your eyes lowered in kinhin. There will sometimes be extended outside kinhin. Continue your zazen practice during kinhin and at all other times, keying your breath to your steps.

　　The Jikki will clap the clappers before you reach your cushion to let you know kinhin is finishing. Stop at your place with your back to your cushion.

　　Gassho with everybody together then turn in the direction of the altar to face your place. gassho again and take your seat. (Tanto speaks, Jikki and others demonstrate)

　　If you need to leave the dojo during kinhin to get a drink, go to the toilet or attend to some sesshin job, you may leave in the following ways:

　　1) Go quickly when you hear the bell struck twice for kinhin, especially if you are heading for the toilets. Gassho at the door.

　　2) If you cannot leave quickly, walk in the kinhin line until you get to the door. Gassho as you leave the line but not at the door.

　　3) If the person in front of you leaves, maintain the gap.

　　4) When you return to the dojo, wait near the door until your place in the line comes round. Gassho quickly and step in.

　　5) Sometimes you cannot rejoin the line. Your place has already passed or you are too late. In this situation, wait near the door until the line has stopped. Bow with the final bow. Only then return to your place. Also if you need to fetch a chair or another cushion you must wait for the final bow of kinhin. The principle is "everyone moves together."

　　Kinhin is not a rest period. Leave the line only to go to the toilet or to get a drink or if you need to attend to some sesshin duty, such as cooking. If you need to go to the toilet, leave promptly so you will be back in the dojo before the bells ring for the next period of zazen.

　　Early Morning Procedures

　　(Tanto speaks, other leaders demonstrate: )

　　The bell will be rung at 4 am. Get up quickly and go to the dojo.

　　Kentan. The first period of zazen is sat facing in. Towards the end of this, the Teacher will enter the dojo for kentan. The Teacher first bows to the altar and then walks slowly round the dojo. As he/she approaches your place, raise your hands in gassho but do not bow. After the Teacher has passed, lower your hands to zazen mudra again.

　　Kyosaku and Massage

　　I(no speaks, other leaders demosnstrate.)

　　The kyosaku is an effective way to relieve tiredness and tension, in the shoulders or on either side of the lower back. The sound of the kyosaku, as with all other sounds, brings us back to our practice. The kyosaku and brief massage will be offered during this sesshin but only at your request.

　　To request the kyosaku on the shoulders, when you hear one of the leaders walking behind you, raise your hands in gassho. When the leader taps your shoulder, lower your ha…

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