1. If I occasionally miss a session or two because of business or other commitments will I fall behind?

No. The Koan Abbey is designed to be an “experience “ in Zen Buddhism not a class. It is not a continuum that you must follow in sequence. We can provide members with handouts on any topics they missed during absences from the Abbey.

2. What benefits do I receive if I become a member of the Abbey?

1.Reduced monthly fee.
2.Reduced fee for any weekend Zen activities
3. 1st choice on any limited seating weekend Zen activities.
4. Your own personal sized-for –you gray Zen meditation robe and slippers with the Koan Abbey logo.

3. Will the format of the weekly sessions always be the same?

No. The session core will always be meditation however in addition to talks from our Zen Buddhist layman master about Zen philosophy through stories, we will experience Zen cooking, Zen art, Zen music and poetry and occasionally have visits from Zen master monks themselves from the BaiLin Monastery .We are always open to suggestions for other topics and activities.

We will assess each session and revise the format if necessary to make the experience more enjoyable and valuable for the participants. Your comments will be most helpful.

4. How long will each weekly session last?

2 hours

5. I experienced stiffness and muscle aches during my 1st session of meditation. Is that normal? Will that always take place?

The stiffness you experienced was perfectly normal because your body is not yet accustomed to being very still in those positions. In fact, the signals from your body are an integral part of the meditation experience and you will learn, through Zen, to accept and control those signals. It just takes practice. Your Zen teacher will give you tips for things you can do at home between sessions to help you with this.

6. Are there things I can do between sessions to make my Abbey experience more meaningful?

As we said earlier, this is not a class where you must learn specific information in order to proceed. We are providing a setting where you can fully experience Zen Buddhism in a variety of different ways, as guided by our Buddhist layman master. He can provide suggestions for activities, including meditation practice, and readings that will add meaning to your Abbey experience.

7. What kind of environment is suitable for sitting meditation?

1. A quiet room with good air ventilation
2. Avoid wind (natural wind or air-conditioning wind)
3. No plants which have a strong or harmful smell
4. Not too dark, not too bright

8. How should I prepare if I practice at home on my own?

1. The clothing should be soft and loose, which is good for relaxing and easy breathing
2. A mat or cushion, which is flat and stable
3. A small pillow around 3 inches thick under the buttocks, in order to make the body more stable when sitting with crossed legs
4. A light blanket to protect legs, knees and back from coldness

9. How about food and beverages prior to meditation?

1. Light food is recommended. “Light” means: light taste and light quantity
2. Avoid oily and spicy food
3. Avoid food, which has a strong smell, such as garlic, onion or leek…
4. Do the sitting meditation 30mins to one hour after a meal
5. Have meals regularly and on time in daily life

10. What are the right attitudes for practice?

1. Persistence on regular practice.
2. Patience in body, qi and mind
3. Confidence in yourself
4. Trust in the master’s teaching
5. Mediation is not just for sitting

11. What should I not do for sitting meditation?

1. Don’t do sitting meditation when the stomach is too full or too empty
2. Don’t do sitting meditation when you are in extremely tired or sleepy
3. Don’t do sitting meditation when you are in extreme and unstable emotions, such as anger, fear, joy, grief…
4. Don’t talk or do other things during meditation time

12. Avoid sharp sounds or other sound interruptions when doing meditation.

So turn off the phone and mobile. If you want to set your mobile alarm, choose a gentle tone or melody in medium-low volume.

If you have any question, please feel free to let us know by “Comments”