First and foremost, are the rules of the building. The good people of our mother sangha, Tree Top Zen center, pay for our Zendo, and we must appreciate and respect that. When we're at the Unitarian-Universalist Church, we must not be wandering around in this beautiful building. Other groups hold functions there as well as Monkey Head, and we don't want Monkey Zen being blamed for anything that might come up missing. Unless we have to use the restroom, let's restrict our movement to the zendo and to the room just outside the zendo. Xie xie.

Now, back to the Zendo. We have beginner's instruction at 430pm. As with the main gathering, please put your shoes outside of the zendo, 'cause Buddha doesn't like shoes. You can grab coffee or tea; beginner's is very informal/informative.At about 8 minutes before 5pm, when formal sitting begins, the bell will ring, to prompt everyone to quiet down, and get ready for the main event. At 8 minutes to 5pm, when the bell rings, if you want to keep socializing, you have to move it outside of the Zendo.

For the vets: Upon entering the Zendo, bow in gasho, as aptly demonstrated by our jisha on the opposite panel. When you're walking through the Zendo, your hands should always be in shassu, as demonstrated above. Find your seat, and try not to cross in front of the Buddha alter. This is to honor our straight-up Soto peeps, as well as the practice of the historical Buddha. When you find your seat, put your hands in gasho, bow to your seat ('cause it's a great seat, right?), then bow to the person across from you.

Etiquette while meditating. Now, you can sit however you wish (visit the posture page for more data), and once those three bells sound, you are officially meditating. We all have to move from time to time, and when you do, just give a little bow in gasho. If you have to get up during zazen, give a small bow in gasho, then get up, bow to your seat, then to the Zendo. Then quietly exit. Again, some of us can only meditate for five minutes at first, and that's fine. If you want to talk with someone, just go outside and have some coffee (even if it's the second sitting, and the Senior Priest is out of the room doing interviews). It's all good.