Hi Frankie,
When we have our Retreat in San Francisco, we will be filming a short film on "Proper Zazenkai Procedures." However, we are really simple minimalists around here, so the instructions are not so many in our Sangha (compared to the elegant ballet that some Zen Ceremony can be) ...
Basically, Gassho when entering and existing the room.
Try not to walk in front of any Buddha Statue in the room, or Gassho (or standing Bow in Shasshu) in apology if you need to do so.
Walk with hands in Shasshu (I have a video already about much of this) when walking through the Zendo.
Stand in Gassho during the Ceremony, but only Bow ...
1- During "3 Bows" times (either three Prostrations or deep standing Gassho bows)
2- At end of any Chant, such as at the end of the Heart Sutra when the Ino recites "HANNnnya SHINnnngyoooo ... " Or, such as at the end of Verse of Atonement" when we recite " ... for them Allllllll". Do not otherwise Bow during Chants.
3- During Dedication of Merit after Chant, when we recite " ... to Shakyamuni Honored One" (until) " ... and all Teachers in all places and times".
For the rest, only the Doshi (the priest leading the Ceremony) does all the Bowing alone. Others just stand in Gassho and observe.
Also, Bow in the prescribed way when sitting down for Zazen and when getting up. I have a video on that already ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...093#post189093
I will also try to post some pictures or a video of our Altar and other corners of our Zendo this week, and show you around a bit.
Gassho, Jundo
SatTodayLAH