Merry-Go-Round

THERE’S BEEN a slight change in each of our zendos. You may not have noticed, but there could be a slight shift in the bell taps, a new crispness to the clappers, and variation in kinhin cadence. That’s because our jikis are undergoing cross training. Simply put, the jikis from the three different Bahay Dalangin zendos will be leaving their posts for a month to do their duties in another zendo. The aim of the training program is two-fold: first, to sharpen the jiki’s awareness and skills by bringing each out of their comfort zones; second, to have the members of the different zendos get to know the jikis.

A jiki or jiki-jitsu is the timekeeper for any meditation gathering. All matters having to do with time are the responsibility of the jiki (provided the decisions do not conflict with the activities or wishes of the roshi or teacher). It is the jiki who usually leads the kinhin and manages the dokusan line. For the Bahay Dalangin Sangha, the jikis also conduct the orientations for new participants.

From May 12 to June 12, 2008, the jikis are taking on the following cross assignments: Benjie Baluyut of the Sta. Ana zendo will be at the ELJ zendo; Rose Yap of the ELJ zendo will be at the Benpres zedo; and Lydia Gaurano of the Benpres zendo will be at the Sta. Ana zendo.

Benjie, who has spent two weeks in his new post, savors the benefits of his assignment: “Sometimes, we’re too near the forest to appreciate the trees. By being at ELJ, I am getting to know the other members better, particularly the Lagro group, and I am picking up new ideas.”

The cross training is part of the plans and programs of the BDZ Organization Committee. If your are interested in doing samu for the Organization Committee, please contact your jiki or Benjie Baluyut.