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[Last updated: 30 March 1992]
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This document describes organizational details of sesshin (a Zen meditation
retreat) as practiced by members of the Sydney Zen Center of the Diamond Sangha
tradition

SESSHIN LEADERSHIP:  INO ROLE

4.25 a.m.   Strike inkin to signal time to drink tea.  When all have finished,
                 hit inkin again to signal return of wrapped teacups to place
                 behind zabutons.

6.30 a.m.  Ino leads meal chants (after Jiki has responded to umpan with inkin).  After the 2 clap-dings (Ino on clappers, Jiki on inkin)
                which end meals and which are followed by a standing bow,  
                bowls at eye level, participants replace bowl sets, straighten
                places, turn and stand with hands in kinhin position until Ino
                rings final inkin to dismiss sangha.

8.30 a.m.  Morning sutra ceremony.  All sutras are done in order, except
                Hakuin Zenji's Song of Zazen and the dedication which follows
                it.
                
                (Note:  there are 2 dedications following Sho Sai Myo Kichijo
                Dharani.  We use the First Sutra Dedication during sesshin,
                the other one during daily practice at Annandale.  There are 3
                dedications following Kanzeon, "In the purity and clarity of
                the Dharmakaya" is used at the closing ceremony on the last day
                of sesshin. "Infinite realms of light and dark" is the daily
                dedication and "The Buddha and his teachers" is the right one
                to use during sutra service.)

ll.30 am   Ino again leads meal sutras.

l.55 pm   Teisho is announced.  When Jiki hits drum 3 times at 2.00 p.m.
                Ino says, "Please stand" and hits clappers full sound, length-
                to-length, then muted sound, length-to-end, at 5 second
                intervals, ideally arriving on a full hit to coincide with
                arrival of teacher in dojo. As he bows, Ino bows, teacher
                reaches for incense (Tanto will offer it), Ino puts down
                clappers and picks up inkin. Hits inkin as teacher bows and
                begins accelerando for 3 bows, 4th standing bow when teacher is
                at his seat.  He will come to a gassho to signal "On Opening
                the dharma".  Then, after teisho, teacher's gassho signals
                "Great Vows".

4.25 pm   Approx.  Jiki will say "Sit facing in for the reading" and Ino will
                lead the Shodoka.  If it is a large sesshin, the Ino should go
                early to dokusan to be sure to be back in time for this.

5.00 pm   Supper.  No sutras.  Clappers are used to signal the beginning of 
                meal and seconds.  Meal ends with the usual clap-dings.


8.50 pm   Closing ceremony.  Once again, the Ino initiates the 3 bows, 
                timing the inkin to coincide with the teacher's personal bow 
                following his incense offering.  When all are seated and sutra 
                books have been passed out, Ino leads Hakuin Zenji's Song of 
                Zazen, followed by "The sky of samadhi" dedication, then Great
                Vows.  The ceremony ends with the Jiki on han and Jisha on
                densho and Ino on inkin (Bok, Bong, Ding- accelerando)
                initiating final 3 prostrations.  Teacher says his final words,
                departs, Ino hits inkin, cushions are straightened, then final
                Inkin to dismiss for the night is hit by Jiki.
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