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the Butsudan. Having done this, do a seated bow (gassho monjin) to the Butsudan and with your
hands still in gassho, rise and do a final standing bow. 
With your hands placed in shashu, you can now retrieve your tray. The tray may only be
a few feet from the Butsudan, but you must walk clockwise and so you will need to turn to your
left, circling the Butsudan to reach your seat. Pick up the tray and walk to the rear door. With the
tray in your hands, bow into the room before leaving. 
Kitchen Cleanup
If the kitchen door is closed, this indicates that it is in use and you will therefore need to wash
your dishes in the Dining Hall. You can leave the clean dishes on the tray, standing on the counter
next to the kitchen door. 
If the door is open, please wash your dishes in the kitchen along with any pots, pans, and
implements used to prepare your meal. There is a set of instructions for kitchen cleanup mounted
on the wall next to the sink. Please adhere to them as closely as possible. If you are continuing
your retreat, please leave the tray on the kitchen counter next to the door, ready for the next meal. 
Free Period
After you have finished cleaning your dishes, you will have a free period until 9:25. This is not a
break or recreation period but rather an unstructured time in which to extend your
practice. You can make yourself some tea or coffee if you wish. If you have requested and have
been given the combination for the front or side door locks, you can sit outside, or walk about the
grounds but you should not leave the grounds. If you have not been given the combination, it is
wise to stay inside or you may inadvertently be locked out. All of the doors should remain locked
at all times. You may sit in the Dining Hall or in the Shuryo, but should not read anything. If you
encounter other students, apply functional talking - meaning that you should only express what
really needs to be expressed - for example, to ask a relevant question. This free period (or the one
following lunch) allows enough time for retreatants to shower. 
Preparation for the Mid-morning Sitting
At 9:25 (or a little earlier) you will need to go to the Hatto to ready the room for the mid-morning
sitting. Light the candles, set up the tape player, and make sure the clock, kaishaku and gong are
placed properly. If the tape player is not in the Hatto, it will either be on the counter of the sink
area outside the Hatto, or you will find it in the black cabinet at the foot of the staircase leading to
the third floor. The CD or tape assigned to you will be on the glass shelf above the sink. 
Open the left-hand door of the Butsudan by gently pressing on it to release the
push latch and, using the stone and matches provided, light the candles. Place the burnt
match in the small blue and white Chinese bowl. If you need new candles, you will find a
replacement set on the glass shelf outside the rear door of the Hatto. You should be in the
Hatto ready to open the Butsudan and resume sitting at 9:30. 
9:30 Mid-morning Sitting
Format for the Mid-morning Sitting
Open the Butsudan, following the instructions included under “Opening the Butsudan in the
Hatto” for the 6:00 Morning Sitting.
Teisho Tape or CD
At the beginning of the first sitting round, sit for a few minutes and then listen to the teisho tape
or CD. If the tape is longer than half an hour, continue sitting and finish listening to it. If the