Chanting
Chanting is a traditional practice that complements the practice of zazen. It engages the faith-mind and is a vocalizing of the teachings. Just like in zazen, the aim with chanting is to engage in the practice without unnecessary thought and it should be done wholeheartedly. There is no need to absorb the words of the chants but to simply chant from the hara. Overtime, practitioners memorize the chants through repetition.
Here are some tips for chanting:
- Sit in an upright posture, seiza or kneeling is preferred but a cross-legged position or chair is fine as well.
- Hold the chantbook up so that you are not tilting the head downwards.
- Follow the cadence of the mokugyo (wooden fish drum) and blend in with the tone set by the chant leader.
- During certain chants, the hands are held in gassho (palm to palm). You will learn these over time.
- At the end of each chanting service, three full bows, or prostrations, are done. If you are not familiar with these please ask and someone will show you.
