MASTER DOGEN'S Instructions for Washing the Hands
... (from Shobogenzo -Senjo). I cannot attest to all aspects of this method from a public health point of view (e.g., use of a "common towel"), but they did take their time. :encouragement: Maybe recite that Garland Sutra Gatha twice while scrubbing? I hope that folks will turn their diligent hand washing, and other careful actions brought about by these events, into a bit of ritual and mindful practice.
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"[R]eturning to the washstand ... Then wash the hands. Taking the spoon for ash in the right hand, first scoop [some ash] onto a tile or a stone, sprinkle a few drops of water onto it with the right hand, and cleanse the soiled hand. Scrub the [fingers] on the tile or the stone, as if sharpening a rusty sword on a whetstone. Wash like this, using ash, three times. Then wash another three times, putting soil [on the stone] and sprinkling it with water. Next, take a honey locust [long twisted pods containing a sweet edible pulp and seeds that resemble beans] in the right hand, dip it in a small tub of water, and scrub it between the hands. Wash [the hands] thoroughly, going up to the forearms as well. Wash with care and effort, dwelling in the mind of sincerity. Three lots of ash, three lots of soil, and one honey locust, makes seven rounds altogether; that is the standard. Next, wash [the hands] in the large tub. This time skin cleansers, soil, ash, and so on, are not used. Just wash with water, either cold or hot. After washing once, pour the [used] water into a small bucket, then pour some fresh water [into the tub], and wash the hands again.
The Garland Sutra says, “When we wash the hands with water, we should [recite] that living beings will get excellent and fine hands, with which to receive and to retain the Buddha-Dharma.”
To pick up the water ladle, always use your right hand. While doing this, do not noisily clatter the ladle and bucket. Do not splash water about, scatter honey locusts around, get the washstand area wet, or be generally hasty and messy. Next, wipe the hands on the common towel, or wipe them on your own towel. ...
[T]here is no restriction against using warm water to wash the hands. The reason that a cauldron is provided is so that we can boil water for washing the hands. The Shingi says, “Late in the evening, boil water and supply oil. Always ensure [a] continuous [supply of] hot and cold water, so that the minds of the monks are not disturbed.” So we see that we [can] use both hot and cold water."
(Translation by Nishijima Roshi and Chodo Cross)
