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just curious on this
a curious question.
what is the proper way to bow?
and does it matter to whom the person ?
what is the proper way to bow?
and does it matter to whom the person ?
0
Comments
Zenmonk, Palzang and maybe others may well be able to give you a good personal run-down of the ins and outs, but this may help, as may this....
It's a lovely gesture, isn't it.....?
Palzang
-bf
Always prostrate themselves? Even in informal settings?
-bf
Palzang
I didn't know if there was a formal greeting and an informal greeting.
-bf
Palzang
I don't think ppl show enough respect any more and bowing is one way to do that.
I think it is wonderful.
I don't think one needs to go into a prostrate position unless you are with your teacher. But I think a short bow from the waist is good or even just your head. It's also a reminder for us, to follow the 8 fold path.
Just at the moment, I am experiencing an attack of 'glumness', for no apparent reason. Sitting meditation is agony and, at the same time, as essential as breathing. Prostrations, however, are a way 'into the silence'. I have also, in reflection after practice, been trying to deconstruct what happens and I think that it is a circular process, involving all the parts of 'me': body, mind, intention and will. I know of nothing more difficult to describe than the practice of humility - it is so easy to take pride in my cleverness(*). All I know is that the part of prostration on the ground feels like a letting go of all vanity, all pride, with a sigh of relief. It's like surrendering to gravity, which is what my body is doing.
Getting down and getting up are constant reminders of the First Noble Truth. And doing it again I 'offer' as token of intention to carry on, falling and rising again, on the Path.
Palzang-la: I can understand how it is easier to prostrate than to be prostrated to!
(*) The story is told that, when asked to recommend a book on humility. Frank Pakenham, Lord Longford, recommended his own slim volume!
I didn't know if there were times where it would be acceptable but not desired - or at other times, just not desired (in the case of invading one's privacy).
-bf
The way I think of it is like saluting in the military. There are times to salute and other times when it would be inappropriate. For instance, if you walk by an officer on the street, you salute. If you're working at your desk and your boss, an officer, comes over to talk to you, you don't. So it's sort of like that. If it feels inappropriate, don't do it.
Palzang
A short or a nodding your head down a bit, is a respect for equal status.
a medium bow is respect for higher status, like tilting 45 degree from your standing positing.
a deep bow or almost 90 degree bow is used as an expression of much gratitude or much apology...
These are some of the normal bows in Japan. Although not a japanese, I simply know and act by this standard.
I think I may know what you're talking about, and I think that's just another form of prostration -- that is, if it's followed by bending down to touch the earth with the forehead, forearms, knees, and toes. That's how I prostrate. It's at least used in Vietnamese Zen, if no where else. If there's no touching the earth, though, I don't know what it might be called.
http://vajra.us/gus_prostration_1.html
And Simon, that is exactly what I was referring to and thank you for the link. Now I know how to do it properly.
Kim
welcome reaction ..and your response was an easy one to remember.. and when you think of it ..it makes sense..like in karate when you enter the room you do the lil bow.
and other times i have seen the other bows on tv.. and it is true.
lately .. i keep doin this without any thought.. when i shake someones hand i kinda lean into them and give the slightest bow toward them as im shakin thier hand.. and that feels very comfortable and respectful.. i dont they realize what i am doin.. but i think they feel the respect.
thanx again guys and gals..
deep bows..
To answer your question, a full prostration is where you actually get down flat on the ground, extend your arms and legs, and bring your hands back over your head with palms together. Some people tend to stay down on the ground for a while (maybe it feels spiritual or something), but that is definitely not the correct way in Vajrayana. The idea is to get up as quickly as possible because the idea is that being on the ground represents being in samsara and standing up represents rising up out of samsara (i.e. becoming enlightened), so you don't want to stay down in samsara wallowing about but get out of it as quickly as possible.
A half prostration is getting down on your hands and knees and touching the floor with your forehead. This is the type of prostration you most commonly see when greeting your teacher. The full prostrations are more for doing the refuge portion of Ngondro (preliminary practices) where you accumulate 100,000 of them.
The bow with hands folded is called "gassho" (Japanese). It is the type of bow used in Zen. Japanese also do a quick bow from the waist in social circumstances - their version of a handshake - but I've never seen this used in a Buddhist type situation.
Anyway, probably more than you wanted to know about the subject!
Palzang
PS I'm going to be in Maryland until next Tuesday attending empowerments by H.H. Penor Rinpoche at our Maryland temple, and I'm NOT bringing my computer! So if you have any questions or tirades or whatever for me, please hold onto them until next week. Thanx!
i so respect your envolment, and your commited studies.
do enjoy! see you when you get back
Palzang