- Jesse Burke - Yin Dan (Otto Altobelli) - Joyce Schmeeckle - Yin Zheng (in training)
modus vivendi:
Kindly sign up on the days you can function as meditation leader. The monthly sign-up sheet is near the Zendo entrance door. The first person signed-up is the main person, below is the back-up. Please give at least 24-hour notice, if you cannot make it, by calling a back-up.
If you cannot meet your back-up availability, please call another Doan to take your place and let the regular Doan know.
For general, non-urgent items, the best way to communicate is via the Doan list server: doans@yahoogroups.com
All Doans (bell ringers) at Lotus Temple are also certified meditation leaders (Upasaka) as they sometimes are leading meditation without the temple priest being present. Though an Upasaka is not entitled to teach or give Dharma talks and discussions, he or she may lead brief Gatha or Sutra chanting at the end of meditation and present a short reading from an authorized Dharma book.
Logistics
Preparation
Please always arrive at least 30 minutes prior to meditation time. This will allow you to introduce someone new to zen meditation.
Please refer to the procedures of initial training. All training takes place in the Dojo (downstairs).
Move the upstairs divider to the left side, wide enough for a person to comfortably walk through the entry way. Tun hallway lights on.
Turn altar lights on, but light the candle right before meditation. Burn incense, if you like. This makes a nice meditation ambiance.
Always close the Dokusan room curtain completely during meditation.
Meditation
Ensure that all meditants follow etiquette and proper meditation postures. Gently correct them as necessary.
After the sitting, choose a short Gatha and give a brief Dharma address, if you can. You will find readings near the Doan seat.
After meditation
Extinguish all candles. Incense not finished will burn out safely in the sand box.
Record the number of meditants, including yourself.
Turn off altar lights & all other lights in the Zendo.
If the fan is running, turn it off.
Leave Dokusan curtain open for better ventilation.
Straighten out zabutons & safus as needed.
Always leave Zendo door open (for heating/AC air ventilation purposes), but close divider.
Turn off hallway lights.
As you leave the building (after all meditants have left), please lock the front door, except if there is still a class in progress, e. g. yoga.
Robes
Doans, who have taken the Precepts (lay ordination), may wear the Hia-Qing during meditation. However, there are specific procedures for putting it on and taking it off at the end. There are also slight differences in various traditions. You can review the video to the left for practice. If this is not sufficient or confusing, please ask for a short in-person training. If all else fails, you can always wear just a simple a meditation robe.
Doans, who have not taken the Precepts, have the option to wear such a meditation robe. These can be distinguished from the Hia-Qing as they have a long (though still very wide) sleeve and a button in the front of the neck.
All robes are located to the immediate left when entering the Dokusan room. Please always dress in the Dokusan room.
Last Web Site Update: 09-15-2010
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