Bowing
We bow not to worship the Buddha but to pay
our respects to him for teaching us, to recognize the
Buddha-nature that is in him and in all beings, and to
practice humility by touching the floor with our head.
If we are focused and sincere in what we are
doing, we will be cleansing the three karmas of body,
speech, and mind. For example, as we bow, our body will
be moving as we chant, and with each bow, we will purify
some of our negative karma we had created through our
former actions. As we think "Amituofo," we will purify
some of our evil karma created by our past thoughts. As
we chant "Amituofo," we will purify some of our past
harmful speech.
To begin bowing, stand with your feet pointing slightly
outward in a "V" and your heels a few inches apart.
Place your hands in the hezang position, look down at
the tips of your middle fingers, and slightly tilt your
head down. Keeping your neck straight, slowly bend
forward until you have bent over about forty-five degrees.
If you are doing a half bow, resume your original
upright position with hands in the hezang position.
To continue into a full bow, bend at the knees
as you have bent over about forty-five degrees and, while holding your left
hand in the same position at chest level, move your
right hand toward the floor so that it will support you
as your bending knees complete lowering you to the
ground.
When your right hand touches the ground bring
the left hand to the ground as well, but about six
inches ahead of the right. With this support of both
hands on the ground, continue bending your knees to the
ground until your knees are on the floor. Your right
hand should be just in front and slightly outside the
edge of the right knee, and the left hand still ahead of
the right. For those with problems in the wrist or
joints, or who feel unsteady due to physical conditions
you may place both hands down at the same time to form a
better support.
Next, flex your feet so that the tops of your feet are
resting on the floor and your toes are almost touching
each other. Your lower legs and feet will now be resting
on the floor and your buttocks will be resting on your
legs.
Move your right hand to a position level with your left
and angle your hands towards each other so your lower
arms and hands form an inverted "V" without the hands
touching one another and with your palms down. Continue
lowering your upper body until your forehead touches the
floor. At this point, slowly and supplely make a loose
fist with each hand and then turn your hands over so
they are palms up with fingers very gently curled.
Position your hands as if offering to hold the Buddha
with your hands. This is the final position in the full
bow. Your forehead, forearms, knees, lower legs, and
feet will now be resting on the floor. Keep your
slightly curved back parallel to the floor. Do not push
your stomach down thereby pulling the middle of your
backbone down; keep the back gently curved.
To raise yourself, just repeat the entire bow in reverse
order. Slowly turn the hands so they are palms down.
Then pull your right hand towards your body a foot or so
and this will help to straighten and raise your trunk.
If needed, pull your left hand towards your body until
it is more level with your right hand then using both
hands push yourself up. Change the position of your feet
so your toes are on the ground and your feet are ready
to support you as you rise. Continue rising and
straightening up until you are again standing upright
with palms together at chest level.
Begin with only a few bows, bowing slowly and
gently while being mindful of your movements, and
gradually increase the number you do. If possible, do
this practice while a chanting CD or tape is
playing. You may remain in the full bow position for
several seconds until you begin to rise.
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