YZMC Guidelines and Code of Conduct

All Zen Mountain Center guidelines come out of the sincere desire to realize and actualize our true nature. We understand that it is sometimes difficult to follow the rules, and that everyone occasionally will slip up. However, we hope that everyone will approach these rules in the spirit of support for practice and to maintain harmony within the community.

They ensure:

1. That the Way can be practiced without distraction.
2. That certain basic conduct is in place so interpersonal conflict is minimized.
3. That there is respect for junior and senior alike.
4. That health standards are maintained.
5. That there is respect for the natural ecology, and the buildings, grounds, and other donations of labor and money made by the global Buddhist community to support YZMC.

The guidelines have been grouped into a number of headings pertaining to formal procedures, care for the natural environment, community living, and administrative details. All these guidelines are based on the Sixteen Bodhisattva Precepts as laid out by Dogen Zenji.

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Formal Procedures

Arrivals and Departures

Please check in with the office upon arrival and departure. When you check out, remember to leave your room or cabin in the same state you found it. Return linens to laundry house, sweep the floor, shake out rugs, and tidy up your space.

During the summer and winter training periods, residents are encouraged to remain on the grounds, including days off. If you leave to go hiking, please leave a note on the community board in the dining room which explains where you went and the time you expect to return.

Practice Schedule

The practice schedule has been designed to help us to maintain a mindful attitude at all times. By following a daily routine of this nature, we are able to free our minds from the mundane concerns of life and pour all of our energy into practice.

We ask that you attend all scheduled events. In cases of illness or any other emergency, please have someone notify the Head Trainee. This is very important for safety; we will send someone to look for you if you are unexpectedly missing.

The schedule will be posted in the following places:

• Dining Room
• Office Bulletin Board
• Buddha Hall Bulletin Board or Zendo

You may also request a copy of the schedule for yourself, and you should feel free to ask monitors for information about the schedule at any time.

Zendo Practice

Zendo Attire

Wear dark colored clothing with long sleeves and pants (t-shirts are permissible in summer time). Clothing should not sport slogans or bright colors. Robes or samue are encouraged. Please do not wear long jewelry, or scents such as perfume or aftershave to zazen. Clothing, body and feet should be clean. Long hair should be neatly combed and tied back. Turn off all watch alarms.

Entering Zendo

The following procedures have been developed based on age old temple practices. They are there to help us maintain mindfulness through every moment of zazen. Feel free to ask monitors about any and all zendo procedures.

Enter the zendo through the side entrance. Trainees should be in the zendo five minutes before the start of a sitting period. In the morning, trainees should be seated before the Head Trainee enters.

Step over the threshold with left foot. Make a standing bow in gassho. Walk in shashu along the line of the zabutans, bowing as you pass the teachers’ seats. In the zendo, walk behind the altar as well as the teachers’ seats. Kneel down to adjust your cushion when you reach your place, stand up, bow in gassho to your place, turn around and bow to the room, then sit down.

Zazen

Zazen is the bedrock of our practice. By sitting still and allowing our minds to settle, we make it possible for our true nature to be revealed to us. The following guidelines have been developed to maintain an atmosphere which is peaceful and conducive to sound practice.

Be on time for zazen. By the time the second round of the han has ended, you should be in your seat. If you do arrive late for a period, sit in the gaitan and enter when fast kinhin has begun at the end of that period.

Do not leave the zendo during a scheduled period of zazen unless you are going to dokusan (interview with the teacher), or are ill.

At the end of zazen, you may take some time stretch your legs. Wait for the teachers to stand up, then turn around to kneel down and adjust your cushion. Next, stand up and bow in gassho to your space before turning around in gassho. Your zafu should be fluffed before you leave the zendo at the end of a period. Remember to leave your seat clean and the tag of your zafu facing outward and centered.

Everyone should go to dokusan (interview with the teacher) at least once a week. This is an essential part of Zen practice. 

Please remember that you are in the presence of others, and your behavior may disturb them. The following are a few strong suggestions as to behavior during sitting:

• Please try to sit as still as possible during a period. If you must move your legs, make a short gassho, then change your position as quietly as you can.
• Breathe quietly.
• To reduce noise and avoid spreading germs, cover your nose and mouth with the crook of your arm when coughing or sneezing. Carry a tissue in an easy to reach place, and wipe the end of your nose if you have a runny nose.
• If you need to yawn, please keep your mouth closed or cover it with your hand.
• Bad breath is disturbing to others. Please brush your teeth each morning and evening.
• Bathe regularly and keep your clothing and robes clean to avoid body odor.

Kinhin

Kinhin is Zen walking meditation conducted between sitting periods. Although it is tempting to treat kinhin as a time for a break, try to maintain your focus throughout the walking period. The following are guidelines concerning kinhin:

• Remain in the zendo during kinhin unless you need to use the toilet.
• You may leave to use the toilet at the beginning of slow kinhin, or during fast kinhin. Please do not leave in the middle of slow kinhin. Reenter to you place in line during fast kinhin. If the clappers have struck to end fast kinhin, please wait to enter until the sit down bell has rung.
• Move at the same speed as everyone else. This means that you should not race ahead, nor should you hold up the line.

Service

Service is another very important part of the practice. Ceremony and chanting help us to bring our minds into focus and to bring us into contact with our Buddha nature. We hope that these guidelines will help make service move smoothly.

• Do not leave Buddha Hall during service.
• All trainees should attend service except the kitchen staff.
• If you have to enter late for service, do three full bows at your place when you enter.
• Chant the sutras with awareness, following the pace and sound of the Ino.
• If you have to leave early, do three bows before you leave.

Meals

Trainees should attend all formal meals.
Kitchen crew should try to attend formal meals if possible.
Use oryoki bowls and utensils quietly.

Silence and Quiet

Part of our aim is to learn how to sit with silence. In a world of loud voices, we are cultivating quiet contentment. Here are some basic guidelines to help you work effectively with silence.

• Do not speak in the Zendo or in the gaitan.
• During summer and winter training periods, observe silence from the start of evening zazen until the end of breakfast the following morning.
• Keep voices down in the vicinity of the Buddha Hall and zendo, especially since others may be sitting.
• During Sesshin, be silent at all times, unless you need assistance.

Work

As a Zen community, work is an integral part of our mindfulness practice. By focusing on the task at hand – whether it be cleaning the floor or entering numbers into a database – we are able to find meaning and joy in our daily work. We also deeply appreciate the energy and effort that people here put into their work. Here are a few rules regarding work practice:

• Be ready for work when the work drum sounds and be at the work meeting on time.
• Do not let excessive talking interfere with work.
• Check with your crew leader if you have questions or have completed a task.
• Always clean and return tools and equipment at the end of work.
• Do personal work during free time.

Community Living

Zen Mountain Center is a community of like-minded individuals who are coming together for a specific purpose – that is, to practice Zen meditation. This can be very rewarding and also very challenging. We have identified activities which have caused conflict in the community and distracted us from our practice. The following guidelines have been put into place:

Trainees must avoid forming romantic relationships during the first three months of residence. This guideline is designed to help trainees focus on their own practice, as well as to allow their fellow residents to experience Zen training without distraction. If a relationship is formed after the first three months, please respect the feelings of other members of the community by openly announcing the relationship and as much as possible not forming a partnership that excludes other community members from your circle of friendship.

We encourage direct communication among residents. If you have a conflict with someone in the community, speak to them directly about it. Avoid gossiping about others, as this can lead to division in the community. If the conflict cannot be resolved, ask one of the teachers or residents to act as a mediator and use one of the processes such as Council or Compassionate Communication to resolve the issues.

There is no public drinking allowed at Zen Mountain Center. Intoxication, abuse of alcohol, parties, and loud behavior associated with alcohol will lead to dismissal from the training program. Use of illegal drugs will lead to immediate dismissal from the training program. Firearms and any other weapons are strictly prohibited.

If you own a radio or cd player, keep the volume down to avoid disturbing others. If you are in shared housing, please be considerate of others who are trying to rest or study.

Please wear shoes outside and bare feet or socks inside to avoid tracking dirt and mud onto the carpeted areas.

Dietary Concerns

If you have dietary concerns, speak with the Tenzo to see if your diet can be supported. While YZMC promotes a vegetarian and healthy diet, please be aware that everyone has different issues concerning what they eat. Try not to use your personal beliefs as a source of disagreement.

Hygiene

Promote hygiene. Keep the kitchen and communal areas clean and tidy.

Office Use

Please don’t use the office phones or computers for private use. Use the public phone for incoming and outgoing calls. We need to keep the office lines open for YZMC business at all times.

The computer in the back of the office trailer can be used for residents’ Internet use out of work hours, but official YZMC business should take priority. Please don’t hog the computer if there are other people wanting to use the internet.

Environmental Guidelines

Electricity

ZMC runs on renewable energy. We have as a goal to be 100% powered by solar, wind, and hydro powered without the need for engine generator power. To achieve this aim we must conserve electricity by being careful with our use of power, using only low power appliances, and encouraging guests and visitors to reduce their electrical consumption.

Here are the guidelines for power use:

• Please be extremely conscious of lighting. Use only the light you need, and shut off all lights once you leave a room. A single light left on overnight can drain all our available power.
• Stereos, computers, battery chargers, VCR’s and TV’s, and surge controllers draw power even when they are not turned on. They should be unplugged or plugged into a power strip which is turned off when they are not in use. Battery chargers and rechargeable flashlights should be unplugged when the batteries are charged. It is, however, preferable to use non-rechargeables.
• Do not use any items that generate heat such as hair dryers, heaters, etc. 
• The use of personal computers is limited to YZMC staff only. Trainees are not allowed to use personal electrical items during their stay. Essential items must be cleared for use with the YZMC Administrator.

Heating

Please be conservative with heating. Turn off the heat when you leave a room. During winter wear more clothes so we can turn the heating down, and use more blankets at night.

Cleaning products

Be conservative with the use of cleaning products that harm the environment. Much cleaning can be accomplished with warm water and cloth.

Recycling

Please use the YZMC recycling wherever possible. Check the kitchen for items that can be recycled in Idyllwild. Compost should be taken to the compost heap in the garden.

Paths

Please stick to the established paths around the Center. 

Fires and Smoking

ZMC is in a high fire-risk area and fire service is at least 20 minutes away. We ask that everyone is extremely careful about fire safety and that they observe the following precautions:

• Do not use any open flames either inside the housing or outdoors.
• Smoking should be restricted to smoker’s rock and smoker’s log.
• Make a note of where the fire extinguishers and fire hydrants are and know how to use them. Please ask if you are unsure.
• If you see fire, ring the alarm bell, which is situated over the bridge next to smoker’s log across from the Buddha Hall. 

Water Use

Please be conservative with water. Our water supply comes from horizontal wells located at the end of our property. The wells draw on water deep in the granite bedrock, which falls as rain and snow in the higher elevations and is sensitive to the amount of precipitation we get over the winter. Dry years could mean a reduction in flow, so please be careful to turn off faucets and be conservative with water when bathing.

Laundry

There are washing machines in the laundry room for resident use. Laundry should only be done on days off and not during the regular training week. The machines use a lot of power so if you have a small load, please combine it with someone else or preferably handwash. Remove items promptly from the machine once they are washed and  hang on the line. Remove clothing from the line once it is dry so others can use the space. Please don’t leave any laundry on the lines during the training week.

Hazardous Waste

Place all hazardous waste such as waste oil, paints, and toxic chemicals, in the storage containers behind the shop. Do not put these items into the trash or down the drain.

General

Vehicle Use

We encourage carpooling. If you need to go somewhere, ask if there is anything other people need from the stores, or if other residents would like to come along. The Center vehicle is available for resident use during days off. Check with the Administrator before using it, and take someone with you. Be sure to refill the gas tank before you return.

Park your car facing out into the parking lot to facilitate fast evacuation in case of a sudden emergency.

Domestic Animals

The presence of animals such as cats and dogs can have a dramatic impact on the native animal population in this canyon. Please do not bring pets to YZMC.

Emergency Evacuation

In the event of a threatening wildfire requiring evacuation, the alarm bell situated between the Buddha Hall and Zendo will be struck loudly and continuously. Drop whatever you are doing and come quickly to the assembly point beside the bell to await instructions.

Kitchen Guidelines

The kitchen is a place of practice, no different from the zendo in this respect.  Consequently, everything we do there should be done mindfully, being especially aware of issues that affect safety, health, and the efficient functioning of the kitchen.  These guidelines are to help us remember these issues.

Hygiene & Safety: 

Please don’t work in the kitchen if you have a contagious condition, bug, malady.

Wash your hands before handling food and kitchen equipment that comes in contact with food.

Don’t pick food out of serving container or storage container with your bare hands or a utensil that has been in your mouth.

When washing dishes:

• be sure to clean them thoroughly.
• keep the wash and rinse water relatively hot and clean.

Dry dishes thoroughly before putting them away.  Wet dishes can breed bacteria.

Be careful with knives.  We tend to keep them sharp.

Wear oven mitts when handling hot objects.

Organization:

Clean up after yourself completely, when using the kitchen.

If you’re working on a dish crew, don’t leave until all the tasks are performed completely. 

The list of tasks for the various dish crews is posted in the kitchen.

Be mindful of recycling materials whenever possible and how to dispose of them correctly.  The list of materials to recycle is posted in the kitchen, and the Tenzo will let you know where to put them.

Everything has its place in the kitchen.  If you don’t know where something goes, please ask someone who knows. If such a person is not available, leave the item out somewhere conspicuous, rather than putting it somewhere it can’t be found easily.

The kitchen is off-limits to those not working in it, except at times when we all prepare our own meals (such as days off and some meals during interim period).

Don’t take anything from the kitchen or pantry without checking with the Tenzo (except for food you may use in preparing your own meals).

Some food needs to be saved for the preparation of planned meals.  It’s important that you not use this food, and the Tenzo will let you know how to identify it.

Use older food first.  The Tenzo will give you more information about how to identify the older food.  Compare expiration dates, if necessary.

If you want to open a package of food, be sure there isn’t one already open.

We have limited fridge space.  Be efficient with how you store food (i.e. don’t put a little bit of food in a huge container).  Use containers that have tightly fitting lids.

Make sure that you close fridge doors properly.

I promise to comply with the above guidelines.

Name:____________________________  

Signature:__________________________

Date:_____________________________