Umdze
The umdze is the timekeeper for sitting meditation. He or she sits at the front of the shrine room and rings the gong to signal walking meditation, and the beginning and end of sitting. The umdze may also read poems or Buddhist texts for the listeners' contemplation.
Umdze positions are available on Sunday morning, Thursday evening, and Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning.
UMDZE & GATEKEEPING TRAINING
Thursday, April 10, 2008
7 - 8:30 p.m.
Our center is staffed completely by the generosity of volunteers. We have 33 rota, or work, positions to fill each month. These enable us to offer meditation on Thursday evenings, Sunday mornings, and the Early Bird Special.
Being an umdze is a way to practice precision and mindfulness of details. It is allows you to take your seat in a dignified and relaxed manner for the benefit of other practitioners.
Gatekeeping is awareness practice in action. The gatekeeper is mindful of the environment as a whole, inside and outside the shrine hall and helps hold an atmosphere of sacred space.
Please consider helping us staff these positions by signing up for a monthly shift. We will offer a training session for umdze (timekeeper) and gatekeeper on Thursday, April 10 from 7-8:30. Jim Moody, a senior student in our sangha, will lead this training.
Please email Jim at jwm.retired@yahoo.com, if you would like to sign up or if you have any questions.