Everyone is Welcome
Come meditate with us. Everyone is welcome to join us, from the Zen curious to the Zen master. No matter our race, ethnicity, class, gender identity, sexuality, religion, height, weight, age, abilities, physical appearance, or social or political identities, we all share Buddha nature and are capable of awakening.
We ask only that you be ready to sit quietly with us during seated meditation. If you want to join us for chanting, bowing, and walking meditation, please do; if that makes you feel uncomfortable, then feel free to remain sitting in meditation. If you must leave the room during meditation, please do so quietly. As a courtesy to others, please silence your mobile phone during the sitting. We also suggest wearing non-restrictive clothing if you’ll be sitting on a cushion while meditating. Please arrive a few minutes early as we will begin promptly at 2pm.
If you’re brand new to meditation, arrive 20 minutes early and someone can help you get started.
We usually have a social gathering afterwards in the Parish House.
Ethics
We base our ethics policy on the Buddhist Precepts (listed below). Avoid harm. Treat everyone with respect and courtesy and avoid malignant or manipulative behavior in both speech and action. Teachers may never request personal gifts or money from members. Nor may they ever engage in sexual or romantic relations with their own students. Such behavior is a violation of their precepts and is indicative of their unsuitability for teaching. Please inform the guiding teacher or another trusted teacher if you ever experience a violation of this policy. Violations of this policy will result in teachers losing their authority to teach.
Scudder Falls Zen is affiliated with East Mountain Sanghas. The East Mountain Sanghas Ethics Policy is linked here.
The Buddhist Precepts
Lay precepts (for members and students)
1. I vow to support all living creatures and to refrain from killing.
2. I vow to be truthful and to refrain from lying.
3. I vow to regard all being with respect and dignity and to refrain from objectifying others.
4. I vow to respect the property of others and to refrain from stealing.
5. I vow to maintain a clear mind and to refrain from harming myself or others with intoxication.
For ordained students/teachers:
6. I vow to be kind and encouraging and to refrain from discouraging myself or others.
7. I vow to speak critically and honestly about myself and to refrain from being boastful and self-centered.
8. I vow to be generous and to refrain from yearning for things that do not belong to me.
9. I vow to promote harmony and to refrain from acting in anger or hatred.
10. I vow to uphold the three jewels: the Buddha, the Dharma, the Sangha.
Scudder Falls Zen 