Forgive a newb question but this has been on my mind for a while.

If the practice is sitting, what is chanting?

Is it an important adjunct to zazen? In my very limited experience I have not understood it at all.

I did not understand about bowing at first either and then read in Zen Mind, Beginners Mind about bowing to teachers to show respect/gratitude. I found that helpful as I would like to learn to be open to learning from anyone or anything -- and therefore everyone could be my teacher.

Is there anything I can read or that you can tell me that would help me to learn or understand this?

Thank you.