Online Zendo
Welcome to the Empty Hand Zen Center’s Online Zendo. Below are instructions for joining our Sunday and Wednesday practice. Please become acquainted with this entire page before attending for the first time.
When is the Sunday practice?
Practice will take place from 9:30am - 11:00am. The Online Zendo will "open" at 9:15, which will give you an opportunity to greet each other and settle before zazen starts at 9:30. You will be "muted" entry. Be sure you know how to "unmute" to share your greetings!
When is the Wednesday practice?
Note: Wednesday morning meditation with Ryo will continue via zoom. If you are interested in joining the morning Zoom session, contact Ryo directly at: randall.eiger@gmail.com. The ZOOM Wednesday Evening practice has been discontinued . The physical building of the Empty Hand Zen Center is now open every Wednesday evening for practice.
Wednesday Evening remains the best evening for beginners to learn about Zen practice, including the routines and proceedures that are followed at the Empty Hand Zen Center.
The doors open at 7:10pm and the program begins at 7:30pm.
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 links below to open a Zoom video conference. 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.
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.
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. The zazen sessions are facilitated by Empty Hand Zen Center volunteers.
What is the structure for online zazen?
Sunday practice will start promptly at 9:30 and will include two a 25 minute periods of zazen (bell sounds at 9:30 am), a short (2 minute) period for a silent stretch between periods of seated meditation, the robe verse, a dharma talk, open exchange, and closing vows. During chanting/vows, please have your microphones muted. The Ino's voice will lead the sangha.
Four Vows (chant one time)
Beings are numberless I vow to free them Delusions are inexhaustible, I vow to end them Dharma gates are boundless I vow to enter them The awakened way is unsurpassable, I vow to embody it
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:
• If using a desktop computer, shift the space from a workstation to a practice space by clearing or covering work papers. Please be sure to not have pictures with text or light sources directly in front of the camera.
• One recommended way to sit is in profile, facing away from the computer screen. This allows participants not to be distracted by the movement of other sangha members, mirroring our formal practice of facing the wall during zazen. Some choose to sit off-camera; that’s also fine.
Minimize visual distractions for others:
• Please face the camera away from any direct light sources, including candles. Many members position the camera to face an altar or incense.
Minimize audible distractions for yourself and others:
• Please maintain silence in the Online Zendo until the closing recitation.
• 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 recitation. Upon standing, fluff the meditation cushion or otherwise care for the seat of practice.
Tips for using Zoom
The Online Zendo will open 30 minutes before zazen is scheduled to begin. When you click on the Zoom link, you will be prompted to download and install the Zoom app.
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, because Zoom’s audio does not work well when many people are talking (or chanting) at the same time. 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 the interactive part of the event.
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.
***Note: Please, do not click share screen.
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).