WAKE UPIn gassho, recite the following: “Waking from sleep, the Bodhisattva inspires all beings to awaken to All-Knowledge, gazing upon the ten directions.”
FACE WASHINGGassho-bow to the bathroom altar.
When picking up the toothbrush, “Taking the toothbrush in hand, the Bodhisattva inspires all beings to attain the wonderful teaching and be ultimately pure.”
When brushing the teeth, “Brushing the teeth, the Bodhisattva inspires all beings to be harmonious and pure in mind, biting through all afflictions.”
When rinsing the mouth, “Using water to rinse the mouth, the Bodhisattva inspires all beings to approach the Gate of the Pure Dharma and accomplish liberation.”
When washing the face, “Using water to wash the face, the Bodhisattva inspires all beings to obtain the Gate of the Pure Dharma, forever without stain.”
Gassho-bow to the bathroom altar before leaving.
DAWN ZAZENBow to the altar and approach from the left by stepping sideways. Offer fresh water and light the candle. Light a stick of incense, place the foot of the incense to the forehead and offer it to the Buddha, then place it in the incensor. Bow and leave on the right by stepping sideways. Bow to the cushion, turn clockwise, and bow to the room. Sit and turn clockwise, facing the wall. Ring the meditation bell three times to begin and once to end.
DONNING KESAPlace the folded kesa or rakusu on the head and hold hands in gassho while reciting the Verse of the Kesa three times: “How great, the robe of liberation, a formless field of merit. Wrapping ourselves in Buddha’s teaching, we free all living beings.”
MORNING SUTRA CHANTINGTurn to sit facing the altar. Offer incense. Recite seven times, “Gya tei gya tei. Ha ra gya tei. Hara so gya tei. Bo ji sowa ka.”
Eko Text for Morning Sutra Chanting: “Chanting the Heart Sutra Mantra, we dedicate this merit to the pure body of the dharma realm, and to our home's protective spirits. We pray for our family's peace, for their health and longevity, and for the awakening of all beings. Ji ho san shi i shi fu, shi son bu sa mo ko sa, mo ko ho ja ho ro mi.”
Three Prostrations.
TOILETOffer incense to the bathroom altar and bow. “Going to the toilet, the Bodhisattva inspires all beings to reject greed, hatred, and ignorance, and cleanse all transgressions.”
When washing the hands, “Using water to wash the hands, the Bodhisattva inspires all beings to obtain pure hands to receive and uphold the Buddha-Dharma.”
MORNING MEALBefore eating, perform the five contemplations with hands in gassho: “We reflect on the effort that brought us this food and consider how it comes to us. We reflect on our virtue and practice, and whether we are worthy of this offering. We regard greed as the obstacle to freedom of mind. We regard this meal as medicine to sustain our life. For the sake of enlightenment, we now receive this food.”
After eating, recite in gassho: “Abiding in this ephemeral world like a lotus in muddy water, the mind is pure and goes beyond. Thus we bow to Buddha.” Bow.
AFTER-BREAKFAST COMMUNAL LABOREngage in mindful work to maintain the household.
SHOWER AND DRESS“Bathing the body, the Bodhisattva inspires all beings to have hearts and bodies without defilement, pure and bright inside and out.” Bow three times to the bathroom altar.
COMMUTE“Setting out on a road, the Bodhisattva inspires all beings to proceed toward the Buddha’s conduct and enter the place of no-reliance.”
WORK PRACTICE"Seeing a person of Right Livelihood, the Bodhisattva inspires all beings to attain pure livelihood, and not affect a virtuous manner."
MIDDAY ZAZENSit in an upright posture, facing the wall. Ring the meditation bell three times to begin and once to end.
MIDDAY SUTRA CHANTINGChant seven times: “On boro-n sowaka. On amirita ayudadi sowaka.”
Eko Text for Midday Sutra Chanting: “Chanting the Compliant Heart Mantra of the Victor, we dedicate this merit to the Three Jewels, and to the good fortune of our household. We pray for a peaceful home, a stable lay practice, and auspicious conditions for all. Ji ho san shi i shi fu, shi son bu sa mo ko sa, mo ko ho ja ho ro mi.”
MIDDAY MEALBefore eating, perform the five contemplations with hands in gassho: “We reflect on the effort that brought us this food and consider how it comes to us. We reflect on our virtue and practice, and whether we are worthy of this offering. We regard greed as the obstacle to freedom of mind. We regard this meal as medicine to sustain our life. For the sake of enlightenment, we now receive this food.”
After eating, recite in gassho: “Abiding in this ephemeral world like a lotus in muddy water, the mind is pure and goes beyond. Thus we bow to Buddha.” Bow.
WORK PRACTICE"Seeing a person of Right Livelihood, the Bodhisattva inspires all beings to attain pure livelihood, and not affect a virtuous manner."
COMMUTE“Setting out on a road, the Bodhisattva inspires all beings to proceed toward the Buddha’s conduct and enter the place of no-reliance.”
LATE-AFTERNOON ZAZENLight the candle and offer incense, if not already done. Sit upright, facing the wall. Ring the meditation bell three times to begin and once to end.
EVENING SUTRA CHANTINGOffer incense and chant seven times: “Shi do nī, o kya rā, mi ri shū, ho ri to ra yā, ni ke rī.”
Eko Text for Evening Sutra Chanting: “Chanting the Surangama Heart Mantra, we dedicate this merit to the pure body of the dharma realm, to the myriad spirits, and to our kitchen deity. We pray for a safe and peaceful household and for the flourishing of the Dharma through our actions. Ji ho san shi i shi fu, shi son bu sa mo ko sa, mo ko ho ja ho ro mi.”
EVENING MEALSpend this time mindfully sharing food with family. Be present in their lives. Follow with a thorough cleaning of the kitchen together.
FAMILY TIMEBe thoroughly present with each member of the family.
FACE WASHINGGassho-bow to the bathroom altar.
When picking up the toothbrush, “Taking the toothbrush in hand, the Bodhisattva inspires all beings to attain the wonderful teaching and be ultimately pure.”
When brushing the teeth, “Brushing the teeth, the Bodhisattva inspires all beings to be harmonious and pure in mind, biting through all afflictions.”
When flossing the teeth, “Flossing the teeth, the Bodhisattva inspires all beings to draw out the hair's breadth between heaven and earth.”
When rinsing the mouth, “Using water to rinse the mouth, the Bodhisattva inspires all beings to approach the Gate of the Pure Dharma and accomplish liberation.”
When washing the face, “Using water to wash the face, the Bodhisattva inspires all beings to obtain the Gate of the Pure Dharma, forever without stain.”
Gassho-bow to the bathroom altar before leaving.
EVENING ZAZENSit in an upright posture, facing the wall. Ring the meditation bell three times to begin and once to end.
FOUR VOWSBeings 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 buddha way is unsurpassable; I vow to realize it
SAFETY WATCHPatrol the household to ensure all locks are secured, windows are closed, and lights and appliances are off.
SLEEP PRACTICERecite with hands in gassho: “Going to sleep, the Bodhisattva inspires all beings to have bodies that attain peace and hearts without disturbance.” Sleep on the right side in lion’s posture. Count breaths to 100, then backwards, until asleep.