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Training at Deep Spring Temple
 Zen practice only begins with our zazen. To actualize this practice in our whole lives it is necessary to take our zazen-carefully attending to the present moment-into each activity of our day. Dogen, the 13th century founder of Soto Zen, called it "practice/realization"-waking up within each moment of practice.
 
Below you will find a formal lay training outline representing a commitment between the teacher and the student to deepen our spiritual life together. Each student tailors the training to meet their individual circumstances in discussion with the teacher. The student commits to follow the training for a three month period. (First-timers may make a six week commitment.) A student who wishes to receive "lay ordination" (sewing Buddha's robe [rakusu] and formally receiving the precepts), must complete three of these training periods. You may start at any time.Everyone is welcome to practice at Deep Spring regardless of whether they are currently contracting to this formal training.
 
    1. Zazen-Sit at least 1 hour/day 5 days a week.
    2. Dokusan-Meet with teacher at least 1x/month to discuss practice.
    3. Sunday-Attend _____# of Sunday mornings.
    4. Precepts-Choose:
      a. Student will attend Ryaku Fusatsu services.
      b. Student will read a recommended reading on precepts.
      c. Student will "work" with a precept.
    5. Sesshin-Sit scheduled sesshins.
    6. Studies-Choose:
      a. Student will attend Tuesday Buddhist Studies Class.
      b. Student will read teacher assigned text.
    7. Liturgy-Choose
      a. Daily chanting and bowing of part of morning service.
      b. Daily Metta (loving kindness) meditation.
    8. Temple Duties Training-Choose (as available)
      a. Jisha-Sunday attendant to teacher and during sesshin.
      b. Chiden-Flowers and altar maintenance 1x/week
      c. Work Leader-identifies, assigns, trains and monitors work on Sundays.
      d. Doan-zendo set-up and hits bells for Sunday services and sesshin.
      e. Tenzo-arranges Sunday lunch and cooks during sesshin.
      f. Ino trainee-works with senior student to run Sunday mornings and sesshin. Requires prior completion of a, b, c & d above.
    9. Work practice-Choose:
      a. Practicing at work (in discussion with teacher)
      b. Volunteering at ZCP (____hours/week)
      c. Volunteering at non-profit (___hours/week)
    10. Body Practice-Daily exercise program 5x/week for 30 minutes (walking, yoga, Tai-chi, etc.)

Student:
Teacher:
Date:
 
 		 
 
Zen Center of Pittsburgh
 124 Willow Ridge Road - Sewickley, PA 15143 - 412-741-1262
kyoki@prairiewindzen.org