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Thread: Question re: Samu practice

  1. #1
    Member Onka's Avatar
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    Question re: Samu practice

    G'day folks
    I'm wondering if there is a Sutra or something else that is recited before undertaking our daily Samu practice?
    Thanks in advance.
    Gassho
    Anna

    ST
    穏 On (Calm)
    火 Ka (Fires)
    They/She.

  2. #2
    Hi Anna

    Good question! As far as I know there isn't but Jundo might know better!

    You can bow to the task before starting and again at the end if you wish to show respect.

    There are some short gathas (mindfulness verses) that may be used during certain daily tasks to be found in our Treeleaf Retreat Chant Book:

    Verse On Entering Bath

    Bathing the body,
    may all living beings
    be clean in body and mind,
    pure and shining within and without.


    Verse For Tooth Brushing

    Brushing my teeth and rinsing my mouth,
    I vow to speak purely and lovingly.
    When my mouth is fragrant with
    right speech,
    A flower blooms in the garden of the heart.


    Verse For Face/Hand Washing

    Washing the face/hands,
    I vow with all beings
    To pierce the pure Dharma gate
    Forever undefiled


    Verse On Entering Toilet

    Defiled or immaculate,
    increasing or decreasing--
    these concepts exist only in our mind.
    The reality of interbeing is unsurpassed.


    Verse After Each Of The Foregoing

    Using the (bath / tooth brush/ wash basin / toilet)
    I vow with all beings
    To pierce defilement
    clearing greed, anger and ignorance.


    Gassho
    Kokuu
    -sattoday-
    Last edited by Kokuu; 09-09-2019 at 01:40 PM.

  3. #3
    As Kokuu says, a simple Gassho, before and after, is enough.

    Yes, you could recite ... or even create a Gatha for any activity (just let it be heartfelt, meaningful, even a little humor is fine). Yes, one can make their own Gatha for ANYTHING ... which is exactly what Treeleafers have done for fun and personal inspiration ...

    https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...hp?6917-Gathas

    Gassho, J

    STLah
    ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE

  4. #4
    Quote Originally Posted by Jundo View Post
    Yes, you could recite ... or even create a Gatha for any activity (just let it be heartfelt, meaningful, even a little humor is fine). Yes, one can make their own Gatha for ANYTHING ... which is exactly what Treeleafers have done for fun and personal inspiration ...

    https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...hp?6917-Gathas
    Some of the gathas on that thread are just great! Thanks Jundo for linking to this, which I hadn’t seen before. While small in form, a good gatha can really pack a mighty mighty punch.

    Thank you for this question, Anna.

    Gassho,
    Libby
    ST

    Edited to add that I just remembered Thich Nhat Hanh has one to say when hugging your kids and the first time I mindfully applied it I almost burst into tears, it was so beautifully overwhelming. I’ll try and dig it out.
    Last edited by Gukan; 09-08-2019 at 10:06 AM.

  5. #5
    I sometimes recite The Heart Sutra before sitting practice Shikantaza vow to just sit.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Peaceful Poet, Tai Shi. Ubasoku; calm, supportive, limited to positive 優婆塞 台 婆

  6. #6
    Member Onka's Avatar
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    Thank you Kokuu and Jundo
    Gassho
    Anna
    ST
    穏 On (Calm)
    火 Ka (Fires)
    They/She.

  7. #7
    The Robe Verse is appropriate, and part of the opening chants of Zazenkai and simple bowing and if able full body to floor. The later is impossible for me so I simple bend from my waist.
    Tai Shi
    sat/lah
    Gassho


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Peaceful Poet, Tai Shi. Ubasoku; calm, supportive, limited to positive 優婆塞 台 婆

  8. #8
    Quote Originally Posted by Tai Shi View Post
    The Robe Verse is appropriate, and part of the opening chants of Zazenkai and simple bowing and if able full body to floor. The later is impossible for me so I simple bend from my waist.
    Tai Shi
    sat/lah
    Gassho


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Of course, we do usually take off the Rakusu for Samu involving physical labor where it may become dirty, so would not wear it.

    A Koan: The Rakusu is beyond "clean" or "dirty," and cannot possibly become sullied ... yet try not to get it dirty!

    Gassho, J

    STlah
    ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE

  9. #9
    Of course, we do usually take off the Rakusu for Samu involving physical labor where it may become dirty, so would not wear it.
    .. Or one can tie the Rakusu up with Shiken belt. When at sesshin I saw some elder monks doing that though I'd still not recommend it if one is involved in some labor with dirt.
    IMG_2491.JPG

    Gassho,
    Washin
    sat/lah
    Kaidō (皆道) Every Way
    Washin (和信) Harmony Trust
    ----
    I am a novice priest-in-training. Anything that I say must not be considered as teaching
    and should be taken with a 'grain of salt'.

  10. #10
    Quote Originally Posted by Washin View Post
    .. Or one can tie the Rakusu up with Shiken belt. When at sesshin I saw some elder monks doing that though I'd still not recommend it if one is involved in some labor with dirt.
    IMG_2491.JPG

    Gassho,
    Washin
    sat/lah
    Oh interesting! That’s pretty wild how he has it tied.

    Gassho
    Jakuden
    SatToday


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  11. #11
    Quote Originally Posted by Jakuden View Post
    Oh interesting! That’s pretty wild how he has it tied.

    Gassho
    Jakuden
    SatToday


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    As I understand it that is the Rinzai style.

    Gassho, Shinshi

    SaT-LaH
    空道 心志 Kudo Shinshi
    I am just a priest-in-training, any resemblance between what I post and actual teachings is purely coincidental.
    E84I - JAJ

  12. #12
    Quote Originally Posted by Shinshi View Post
    As I understand it that is the Rinzai style.

    Gassho, Shinshi

    SaT-LaH
    Muho of Antaiji wore things that way sometimes too, and he is quite Soto ...



    I am not sure about the tradition in Soto Zen, so I will ask at the SZBA and report back. It is not so common.

    Gassho, J

    STLah
    ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE

  13. #13
    Upaya has a samu gatha

    http://https://www.upaya.org/teachin...gy/samu-gatha/

    Gassho
    Doyu sat and lah today

    Addendum: corrected URL per Kokuu, below: https://www.upaya.org/teachings/liturgy/samu-gatha/
    Last edited by Shōnin Risa Bear; 09-09-2019 at 06:08 PM.
    Visiting unsui: salt liberally.

  14. #14
    Thanks, Doyū!

    I think you missed a colon in the URL: https://www.upaya.org/teachings/liturgy/samu-gatha/

    Gassho
    Kokuu
    -sattoday/lah-

  15. #15
    Oh, it shortened it! That's what I get for using the iPad indiscriminately. Don't see well enough to be doing that and got hasty. _()_

    gassho
    doyu sat/lah
    Visiting unsui: salt liberally.

  16. #16
    Thank you for the Samu Gatha, Doyū.

    Mateus
    Sat today/LAH

  17. #17
    Member Onka's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Doyū View Post
    Upaya has a samu gatha

    http://https://www.upaya.org/teachin...gy/samu-gatha/

    Gassho
    Doyu sat and lah today

    Addendum: corrected URL per Kokuu, below: https://www.upaya.org/teachings/liturgy/samu-gatha/
    This is the one I'll go with I reckon. Thank you Doyu.
    Thanks to other contributors too.
    Gassho
    Anna

    ST
    穏 On (Calm)
    火 Ka (Fires)
    They/She.

  18. #18
    I must admit I find the Upaya gatha a little on the wordy side...

    How about:

    Approaching this task with a sense of joy
    Mind and body drop away.
    Each moment is an offering to all sentient beings.
    A day without work is a day without food
    .*

    *This line is attributed to Master Baizhang (720–814) who was the teacher of Linji/Rinzai. It is said that when Baizhang was getting older, his students hid his tools and refused to let him work. In response he stopped eating, reciting this phrase.

    Just an idea.

    Gassho
    Kokuu
    -sattoday/lah-

  19. #19
    Quote Originally Posted by Kokuu View Post
    I must admit I find the Upaya gatha a little on the wordy side...

    How about:

    Approaching this task with a sense of joy
    Mind and body drop away.
    Each moment is an offering to all sentient beings.
    A day without work is a day without food
    .*

    *This line is attributed to Master Baizhang (720–814) who was the teacher of Linji/Rinzai. It is said that when Baizhang was getting older, his students hid his tools and refused to let him work. In response he stopped eating, reciting this phrase.

    Just an idea.

    Gassho
    Kokuu
    -sattoday/lah-
    I really like that Kokuu. I understand why you wrote it the way you did and it is really good. I think that for me, I'll make this this one word change.

    Approaching this task with a sense of joy
    Mind and body drop away.
    Each moment is an offering to all sentient beings.
    A day without work is a day without sustenance.

    Then it references Master Baizhang, but it can also refer to work sustaining the soul. Not better, just an alternative.

    Gassho, Shinshi

    SaT-LaH
    空道 心志 Kudo Shinshi
    I am just a priest-in-training, any resemblance between what I post and actual teachings is purely coincidental.
    E84I - JAJ

  20. #20
    Kokuu, Shinshi, this is getting good. I'm glad you asked, Anna.

    _()_

    gassho
    doyu sat/lah today
    Visiting unsui: salt liberally.

  21. #21
    I think I will use both. Doyū’ suggestion for workplace, Kokuu’s for home samu.
    Gassho,
    Mateus
    Sat today/LAH

  22. #22
    Quote Originally Posted by Kokuu View Post
    I must admit I find the Upaya gatha a little on the wordy side...

    How about:

    Approaching this task with a sense of joy
    Mind and body drop away.
    Each moment is an offering to all sentient beings.
    A day without work is a day without food
    .*

    *This line is attributed to Master Baizhang (720–814) who was the teacher of Linji/Rinzai. It is said that when Baizhang was getting older, his students hid his tools and refused to let him work. In response he stopped eating, reciting this phrase.

    Just an idea.

    Gassho
    Kokuu
    -sattoday/lah-
    Really good one. Thank you for sharing, Kokuu

    Gassho,
    Washin
    sat/lah
    Kaidō (皆道) Every Way
    Washin (和信) Harmony Trust
    ----
    I am a novice priest-in-training. Anything that I say must not be considered as teaching
    and should be taken with a 'grain of salt'.

  23. #23
    Quote Originally Posted by Shinshi View Post
    As I understand it that is the Rinzai style.

    Gassho, Shinshi

    SaT-LaH
    Shinshi, l wrote to Muho of Antaiji, the fellow in the photo l posted yesterday, and he did say that he was dressed Rinzai style regarding both the Shukin and blue Koromo. l am not sure why Muho was dressed so, but l get the feeling that he just likes the style.

    Gassho, J

    STLah
    ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE

  24. #24
    Kokuu and Shinshi, I like these variations very much and have added them to a post-it note on my laptop. I often approach my work with less of a feeling of joy and more one of mild dread, so this is a nice reminder, although I reserve the right to approach long translations of reports into out-of-specification test results with both mild dread *and* deep ennui

    Gassho,
    Libby
    ST

  25. #25
    Approaching this task with a sense of joy
    Mind and body drop away.
    Each moment is an offering to all sentient beings.
    A day without work is a day without sustenance.
    That version is fine with me!


    Kokuu and Shinshi, I like these variations very much and have added them to a post-it note on my laptop. I often approach my work with less of a feeling of joy and more one of mild dread, so this is a nice reminder, although I reserve the right to approach long translations of reports into out-of-specification test results with both mild dread *and* deep ennui
    I am sure we can come up with a gatha for that!


    Gassho
    Kokuu
    -sattoday/lah-

  26. #26


    Tokan (sat)

  27. #27
    Quote Originally Posted by Jundo View Post
    Shinshi, l wrote to Muho of Antaiji, the fellow in the photo l posted yesterday, and he did say that he was dressed Rinzai style regarding both the Shukin and blue Koromo. l am not sure why Muho was dressed so, but l get the feeling that he just likes the style.
    Hi Jundo,

    Before Muho became the abott Antaiji he also practiced in a Rinzai monastery for a winter or so (in Saifukuji). Maybe this influenced him?

    Gassho,

    Daitetsu

    #sat2day
    no thing needs to be added

  28. #28
    Treeleaf Unsui Nengei's Avatar
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    Minnesota's Driftless Area
    This is how religions get started. 3000 years from now Zen folks will be lecturing that you must say the samu gatha exactly this way as taught by the monks of Treeleaf Zendo. And the emphasis is on the second syllable.

    Gassho,
    然芸 Nengei
    Sat today. LAH.
    You deserve to be happy.
    You deserve to be loved.

  29. #29
    Quote Originally Posted by Nengei View Post
    This is how religions get started. 3000 years from now Zen folks will be lecturing that you must say the samu gatha exactly this way as taught by the monks of Treeleaf Zendo.
    ONLY 3000 years from now? I was hoping for longer.

    Gassho, J

    STLah
    ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE

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