OKYO

Zen Training in Sound and Chanting

 
 
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At Chosei Zen, we approach okyo (sutra chanting) from a musical and energetic perspective. The objective is to change the way you, others, and the universe vibrate.

 

We do the choka (chanting sequence) online weekly as a group after Daily Zazen, using the same link.

  • U.S. — 1st and 3rd Monday each month, 7:30-8:15 pm CT (after evening zazen)

We also do okyo during online intensive training.

 

Okyo videos

Choka book

 

Virtual Dojo students are highly encouraged to train in okyo regularly on their own.

The basic ways that we train in sound are:

  • Practicing vowels (A-I-U-E-O, or ah-ee-oo-eh-oh)

  • Ki-ai (shouting YAH! AY! TOE!)

  • Repeating one okyo over and over again

  • Doing the whole choka from start to finish

Below is a basic progression of sound training in our tradition. One could think of it chronologically, or one could work on several different aspects within a single practice session, in turn. Beginners should go for volume and may have challenges accessing #3-5.

  1. Volume — loud

  2. Resonance  — depth, whole body

  3. Focus & projection of sound/voice

  4. Clarity of sound/voice

  5. Quiet/silent  — resonance remains

  6. Synchrony with universal vibration

It is important to always do the okyo with all your might (“Kiai first”). Omori Sogen Rotaishi, the founder of our lineage said:

“If you are going to read the sutra for your training, you must read the sutra like Nansobo and make each word an arrow that pierces. If we were to express this in Zen terminology, we would say, ‘Tekisui Tekito’ (each drop of water, each drop of ice). If you don’t read the sutra as if you have become each drop (that is, without becoming each word moment by moment), the sutra will not have any effect. Straighten your back, push your energy down to the tanden, and with your eyes fixed, read the sutra. Read as much as you can in one breath. Mind and body becoming one, you enter samadhi. It is possible to be liberated by reading sutra.”

— Omori Sogen: Art of a Zen Master by Hosokawa Dogen (1999)

Basic Instruction

 
 
 
 
 

Resources

  • Our choka book can be downloaded here

  • Captioned recordings of our choka can be used for practicing on your own

  • Whitelaw Roshi has published a Resonate book that has videos of practical exercises

  • Kushner Roshi has developed a “resonator” to help you work on your resonance

  • Kushner Roshi’s Hara Development blog and videos are also relevant for developing your breath