Work Practice (Samu)

As many of you know, practice is not intended to be tethered to the seat or cushion. The hope is that all the way along, through our training, we are learning to live out whatever lessons we learn on the seat, in our daily living. This isn’t a further, later step in practice, to be delayed until some remote time when we’re ready. It applies all the way along. Whatever we discover about our emotional or cognitive habit patterns, the next step, right away, is learning to live freer of them as we go through the day acting and interacting with others.

This is why “work practice” has been so central to the Zen tradition for millennia. Way back, fifteen hundred years ago or earlier, Ch’an Buddhism already differentiated itself from other traditions by insisting that monastics work. Rather than being reliant on donations from the lay benefactors, monasteries and convents should be self-supporting. They became communities that grew and processed their own food, and all stages of agriculture, grain preparation, cooking and eating fell within the remit of practice. Practice isn’t supposed to exclude anything.

What is Buddha? a student asked Tozan (Dongshan). Three pounds of hemp! he snapped back.

What is Buddha? a student asked Unmon (Yunmen). Dried shit-stick! he responded.

The broom, the shovel, the chisel, saw, hoe and twine: all are “buddha” – integral parts of one awakened reality.

This is all a lengthy preamble by way of saying: please let’s not neglect our samu! Work practice is integral to meditation training. Whether you’re a student, a member, or neither, or both, please consider consecrating a few hours a month to tending our beautiful and beloved center and community at Mountain Cloud. Anything done for the Dharma is never wasted!

Samu Opportunities:  (cancelled during the Covid 19 Shutdown)

One Sunday morning per month, we will have organized work practice after the morning sit, from 10.15-11.45 AM. If you can stay after the sit and join in for all or part of that, please do – there may even be a tasty lunch after! (If you can’t stay for samu, no worries, feel free to come to the sit regardless.) This work period will usually be the last Sunday of each month.

–Each Thursday afternoon, scheduled dokusan meetings are going on from 4 to 5 PM. Come and join some samu from 4-5.30, and catch an interview with our teacher while you’re here.

–Finally, every weekday morning our residents are doing work practice from 9-12. Please consider joining them now and then, for whatever length of time you can manage.

You might also consider taking on a “pet project” at the zendo – perhaps using some special skill or interest you may have. If you see something we may need, don’t hesitate to let the Operations Team know about it. If you’d like to discuss a project, or be given some options, speak to Sarah our site manager. You could pursue the project either within samu hours, or whenever works for you, at your own pace and schedule.

Humbly, in profound gratitude,

Henry and the MCZC Administration

footer support banner image

Support Mountain Cloud

You can show your gratitude for Mountain Cloud events, retreats, podcasts and other teachings by making a one-time gift, or by becoming a supporting member.

Donate to Mountain Cloud Become a Member