Online Zendo
Welcome to the Empty Hand Zen Center’s Online Zendo. Please become acquainted with this entire page before attending for the first time.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN EMPTY HAND ZEN CENTER SUNDAY PRACTICE NOW
You may also join by phone: +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) Meeting ID: 833 5159 2868, Passcode: 847989
Please see below for more details on using the Zoom application to participate in the Online Zendo.
***
Online Zendo Schedule
Sunday Morning Practice: Hybrid: In-Zendo + Online
9:15 am - Doors “open,” you will be muted on entry 9:30 am - 9:55 am - Zazan (Sitting Mediation) 9:55 am - 10:05 am - Kinhin (Walking Meditation) 10:05 am - 10:30 am - Zazen (Sitting Meditation) 10:30 am - 10:40 am - Kinhin (Walking Meditation) 10:40 am - 10:50 am - Wellbeing Service (Chanting), during chanting/vows, please have your microphone muted 10:50 am - 11:10 am - Dharma Talk 11:10 am - 11:30 am - Dharma Discussion 11:30 am - 11:40 am - Closing Bows and Chant (Four Vows)
Wednesday Morning Practice: Online Only
Online Wednesday morning zazen (sitting mediation) is graciously offered by Guiding Teacher Ryotan from 7 am - 8 am. If you are interested in joining the morning Zoom session, contact Ryotan directly at: randall.eiger@gmail.com.
Thursday Evening Practice: Online Only
Online Thursday evening zazen (sitting mediation) is graciously offered by Guiding Teacher Ryotan from 7 pm - 8:30 pm. If you are interested in joining the evening Zoom session, contact Ryotan directly at: randall.eiger@gmail.com.
***
Who?
The Online Zendo is open to all practitioners. We ask that you observe the guidelines described below to maintain an online environment conducive to silent meditation.
How does it work?
The Online Zendo uses a video conferencing application called Zoom. Participants can join the Online Zendo during the scheduled periods by using the link above to open a Zoom video conference for Sunday practice or the link provided by Guiding Teacher Ryotan for Wednesday morning or Thursday evening practice. Participants are welcome to join for the entire session or any part that they are able to attend.
Before participating in the Online Zendo, you must first download the free Zoom application to your local computer or device. To do so, simply click the link to join the Zoom conference, and your browser will give you directions on how to install the app. Participants’ audio will be muted by default when entering the Zoom conference.
EHZC Guidelines and Online Zendo Forms
Traditionally, to help facilitate a calm and settled space so that practitioners can attend to the moment-to-moment unfolding of experience in meditation, there are Zendo practices, or forms, agreed upon and practiced with harmony in mind:
Minimize visual distractions for yourself and others:
Clear a practice space by clearing or covering work papers and be mindful of the environment visable by the camera.
One recommended way to sit is in profile, facing away from the computer screen. Some choose to sit off-camera; either is fine.
Please face the camera away from any direct light sources, including candles.
Minimize audible distractions for yourself and others:
Please maintain silence in the Online Zendo until the closing chant.
To cultivate the harmony of practicing together, please join on time.
Before zazen let the body and mind know:
Bow in by bowing towards and away from cushion/chair. This is traditionally done with palms together.
Bow out, while seated, at the end of the closing chant. Upon standing, fluff the meditation cushion or otherwise care for the seat of practice.
Tips for using Zoom
If this is your first time using Zoom, please take 10–15 minutes before the first sitting to become familiar with a few of the common Zoom functions. Practitioners tend to settle into the Online Zendo more easily after having oriented themselves.
Here are step-by-step instructions for exploring a few common functions in Zoom, the home of the Online Zendo.
Audio:
By default, your audio will be muted when you join the Online Zendo.
Please keep your microphone muted during zazen so that you do not distract others.
Also keep your audio muted during chanting. You may follow along with the chant leader as they chant.
The image of a microphone with a slash indicates mute. You will only need to unmute your microphone during discussion if you wish to speak.
To adjust the video:
The two most commonly used controls to adjust video in the Online Zendo are Start/Stop Video (bottom left) and Enter Full Screen Click (top right).
Other common controls:
Chat: Connects listeners with the moderator.
Participants: Allows attendees to see who else is in the Online Zendo.
Questions and Feedback
If you have questions or feedback, please email emptyhandzen@yahoo.com. If you have technical difficulties, the FAQ page on Zoom’s website may be helpful.
Thank you for joining Empty Hand Zen Center’s Online Zendo.
(These instructions were adapted from the San Francisco Zen Center and Village Zendo, with gratitude).