Meditation Service

Twice a month in the evening, we offer a meditation service at our temple.  Meditation is not a practice historically associated with Shin Buddhism the way it is with other forms (particularly Zen).  Historically our practice is listening to the Dharma, and reciting or chanting the Nembutsu, (Namo Amida Butsu).

But, particularly in the United States and especially with members who were not born into the practice, meditation is not only accepted but expected.  So we offer this service two nights a month, inviting the community to join us as well.

The meditation service consists of the same components as our Sunday service—burning incense, sitting meditation, standing meditation, chanting, dharma message, discussion afterwards—but the greater emphasis and time is spent in meditation.  Participants bring their own meditation cushion, use the ones provided by the temple or (more usually) sit in the hondo pews.  No previous meditation experience is required—simple guidelines are given at the beginning of the service, and the actual sitting meditation is just two ten-minute periods between a five minute standing meditation.

Before the meditation service, we offer a 20-minute yoga stretching session in the temple foyer.  These 20 minutes help prepare your body and mind for meditation with simple yoga-style stretching, calming and focusing techniques.  Again, no previous experience is necessary.  Techniques are first demonstrated and then performed either standing or sitting on yoga mats, or using chairs.  No special clothing is required.

You do not have to attend yoga stretching to attend the meditation service any more than you have to practice meditation!  “It’s all good” as the expression goes, and all of these practices are gateways to receiving the Dharma, the teachings we accept and live by.