Rituals and ceremonies
The meaning of ritual
In Zen monasteries, dojos or practice groups, rituals add another dimension to the practice of meditation. Ceremonies help us to harmonise with others and are often dedicated to "the good of all beings". At mealtimes (particularly during retreats), Buddhist chants invite us to develop a spirit of gratitude for everything that has contributed to the simple fact of having something to eat, and to think of those who are not so fortunate. These intentions alone show that meditation goes far beyond a personal development practice.
Teaching
"Human beings, but also animals, use rituals to lead their lives. You only have to look at the life of an anthill or a beehive to be convinced. Rites existed at the very beginning of humanity, even before we could speak of religion. Other rites appeared later as expressions of religious feeling.
In monotheistic religions, rites are addressed to God. Buddha is not a god; it is the foundation of our being, our Buddha nature, that is essential. The aim of rites, then, is to realise the non-separation between the self and all existences.
Like art, ritual enables us to express together, in a visible and tangible way, a truth that is intuitively perceived and shared by all.
In addition to practising zazen and studying the teachings, Zen masters recommend bringing ritual into our lives, in offering ceremonies and reciting the sutras, as well as in secular activities.
They ask us to do things as they should be done, without expecting anything for ourselves and yet... to do them wholeheartedly.
Wholeheartedly means that every situation is experienced with the mind totally absorbed in what we are doing. Our presence in the world is reflected in our attention to forms, to all the forms that come our way in the course of our lives. To ignore forms is to ignore the authentic life, the life of Buddha.
In Zen monasteries, secular activities such as eating, dressing and bathing are ritualised. Observance of the rite through transmitted forms, through the attention it requires, encourages freedom of the mind and opens the door to other values.
In the ritual of the oryoki (lacquered bowls used for meals), for example, we experience the interdependence between the giver and the receiver. Beyond words, we deeply understand that life is given to us at every moment by the sun, the earth, the rivers, the forests, the fields, the animals, the people...
Another example is the great concentration with which the kesa is sewn, following the traditional method handed down, transforming an ordinary cloth into a garment of enlightenment. Preceded by the recitation of a sutra, the act of washing takes on a whole new dimension; this trivial act, in fact, also washes our mind...
The transformation of our ordinary mind into the mind of Buddha takes place through our daily ritualised practice. Ritual, whether profane or sacred, in its essence brings us back to the life of Buddha, to unity with the world around us. "
Master Jean-Pierre Taiun Faure (link to be completed)
