Find a comfortable place to sit
The online sessions last at least one hour, so find yourself a quiet place where you will have minimal disruptions. Feel welcome to use the floor, a mat, cushion, or chair. Whatever you need to sit comfortably for 25 minute increments.
Join Zoom
You may enter or leave the service as needed. When you’re ready, join the Zoom meeting by clicking this link – https://zoom.us/j/5117064990. Password is 108108. If you’ve never used Zoom before, you will be asked to install the application before joining, which only takes a few seconds. Once you’re in the meeting, you can then share your video or mute/unmute your audio. There may be a few minutes of intros and small talk as people get settled, and then as we’re about to begin the service leader will mute everyone on the call so that we don’t hear each others’ background noise during meditation.
First sit
The service leader will ring the bell three times to start the first sit. We will sit in silent seated meditation for 25 minutes until the bell rings again.
Kinhin (walking meditation) or stretch
Between the first and second sit, there will be 5 minutes for you to stretch your legs by doing a slow walking meditation or stretching, depending on how much space you have.
Second sit
The service leader will ring the bell again to indicate the start of the second sit. We will again sit in silent seated meditation for 25 minutes until the bell.
Chant
To finish, the service leader will lead in the chant of The Four Great Vows. Feel welcome to follow along on page 9 of our chant book.
Kaihan
Depending on the time of day and year, you may hear a knocking sound during the service. The knocking is what we call the Kaihan, or simply the Han. We hit the han in the morning, at first light, when you can see the lines on your palm. After striking it, all the lights go out except the candle on the alter. It’s also struck at dusk and at the end of the evening. Written on the Han is traditionally something like this:
Life and death are great matters
Time flies like an arrow
Don’t waste your life
Take care, be diligent!