Beginning a Practice Session

To begin our practice, we put our hands together, palm to palm in front of our heart. Fingers are also placed together, without any space between them. Elbows are slightly bent. Eyes are focused on the tips of the middle fingers and the head is tilted slightly down. This position is used to express respect and is called hezang in Chinese. Besides being used to symbolize a mind without wandering thoughts, it is also used to express the oneness of the true nature.

It is traditional to begin practice with a simple ceremony that includes bowing to the Buddha. Bowing, also called prostrating, is another way of showing respect and can serve to purify the three karmas of body, speech, and mind when it is combined with chanting. Since this practice can be physically difficult for people who are unaccustomed to the movements, it is acceptable to do a standing partial bow instead of a full bow to the floor.

When ready to begin a practice session, do a standing bow, three full bows, and a standing bow. Both forms will be explained in detail in bowing. With this bowing, we pay respect to the Buddha and mentally prepare to begin our chanting. Having done this, we may next light an incense stick if conditions allow, and then take up our position.