Sunday Sittings
Sunday Sitting: Weekly Meditation at Saranam
9-11am
Welcome!
Our meditation format is based on the zazen of Japanese Zen Buddhism, though not as formal as some zazen practices. We begin with chanting a few sutras—there are handouts with the words to help you join in. Then we sit for three 20-minute periods, with a walking meditation between. For the walking meditations, we may walk indoors or on the porch, depending on the weather. In the zendo, we do two turns around the room at a slow, deliberate pace; at a clap, we do a third turn at a brisker, natural pace. Following the third sitting period, we chant the four vows, do nine full bows (prostrations) toward the altar, one standing bow toward the altar, and a final bow toward each other. Meditation is followed by a potluck brunch.
We begin at 9 in the zendo (meditation hall). Please arrive a few minutes early. The hallway to the zendo, which may be entered directly from the porch, has hooks for outdoor clothes, a few meditation benches and backjack seats, and a tray for cups, water bottles, etc. Please do not bring the latter into the zendo. There is a wheelchair-accessible bathroom in the passage off the living/dining room.
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There is no cost to attend Sunday sitting, but donations to Saranam’s upkeep are welcome. They can be left in the basket in the front hall. If you’d like to receive email notices about sittings and other Saranam events and service opportunities, there is a sign-up sheet there as well—be sure to mention Sunday sitting to receive email reminders about when we are and are not meeting, as sometimes events at Saranam supersede our Sunday sittings.
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What to Expect
Below, we answer some FAQs. Feel free to ask any questions about sitting practice or Saranam in general. We’re glad you are here!
What do I need to bring for a sitting?
You can bring your own things to sit on, but we have a supply of zafus (sitting cushions), zabutons (larger, flatter cushions, traditionally placed under a zafu), shawls, and blankets to share with you. Feel free to borrow what you need and return them after meditation.
Do I have to sit on the floor?
If sitting on the floor is uncomfortable for you, you are welcome to bring a chair from the hall or dining area.
What if I show up late?
If the door to the zendo is closed, you can peek in the window to find an available spot along one of the non-altar walls (we don’t sit along the west wall unless we’re very crowded). During a sitting period, you may take that spot in a way that causes as little disruption as possible. Alternatively, you can wait for a break between sitting periods (i.e., during walking meditation) to take your place.
What is the meaning of the altar and the purpose of prostrations?
The simple statue on the altar represents enlightenment of body, speech, and mind. It is also a focal point where we can rest our minds and dedicate our practice. The act of prostration is a way to humble ourselves, cast aside distractions, and show sincere respect for the goals of enlightenment and liberation.
What is the meaning of the sutras that we chant?
We always begin with the Three Refuges, or Returnings. The language is Pali, a dialect spoken at the time of the Buddha:
Buddham saranam gacchami (I take refuge in/return to the Buddha)
Dhammam saranam gacchami (I take refuge in/return to the dharma)
Sangham saranam gacchami (I take refuge in/return to the sangha)
There are many ways to translate “buddha,” “dharma,” and “sangha.” A satisfactory interpretation would be “buddha” as “ultimate truth,” “dharma” as “way” or “path,” and “sangha” as “community”—in this case, community of fellow meditators. As you can see, “Saranam,” the name of this center, means “refuge.”
We end with the Four Bodhisattva Vows, which, like various other sutras, is in a condensed, poetic form of Japanese:
Shujo muhen seigan do (Sentient beings are numberless; I vow to save them)
Bon-no mujin seigan dan (Desires are inexhaustible; I vow to extinguish them)
Hommon muryo seigan gaku (Dharma gates are endless; I vow to enter them)
Butsudo mujo seigan do (The Buddha way is beyond me; I vow to accomplish it)
Are these practices only for Buddhists? Do they conflict with other faiths?
This meditation practice is open to people of all faith-based beliefs and traditions, and no faith at all. You don’t have to accept any belief system in order to participate. Some people who regularly attend our Sunday sittings do consider themselves Buddhists, but others are Christians, Jews, and until they moved away we were joined by a couple who are Sufis (an Islamic sect).