Jūundō-shiki

Whoever possesses the mind of the Way and rejects fame and gain may enter. One who is frivolous and lacks sincerity must not enter. Even if someone has entered by mistake, one must reflect on this and make them leave. Know this: when the mind of the Way is cultivated in secret, one is liberated on the spot from fame and gain. Truly, within the vastness of the great thousand worlds, the authentic transmission from master to disciple is rare. Since ancient times in our country, let us take this as the foundation. Have compassion for the future, and take the present seriously.

The residents of the hall must live in harmony like milk and water, and encourage each other in the practice of the Way. Even if, for the moment, there is a distinction between host and guests, later, they will for a long time be Buddhas and Patriarchs. Thus, each having met companions difficult to meet, accomplishing a practice difficult to accomplish, never lose this sincere thought: this is what is called the mind and body of the Buddhas and Patriarchs. You will necessarily become Buddha and Patriarch. Having already left home, left the village, you entrust yourselves to the clouds and water. The fact of preserving your body and aiding the Way, you owe to the benevolence of this community, which surpasses even that of parents. Parents are relatives in the temporary cycle of life and death; this community is for a long time your companion on the Buddha's Way.

One must not be fond of going out. Even in case of absolute necessity, one outing per month is permitted. The men of old lived in distant mountains, practiced in remote forests. Not only were human affairs rare there, but they abandoned all attachments, they hid their light and erased their traces: it is this spirit that must be imitated. Now is the moment to extinguish the fire burning on our head. At this very moment, to let oneself be distracted by worldly affairs, is this not lamentable, is this not lamentable? Impermanence is unreliable; without one knowing it, this ephemeral life, on which roadside grass will it fall? One must truly have compassion for it.

In the hall, even if it concerns Zen books, one must not read characters. In the hall, one must study the principle and discern the Way. Facing the clear window, one must illuminate one's heart by the light of the ancients. Do not waste a moment, practice with exclusive attention.

As a rule, whether by night or by day, one must inform the master of the hall of the place where one is going. Do not amuse yourselves as you please. You must conform to the rules of the community, otherwise you might well know the end of your present life. To lose one's life in idle wanderings, you will surely regret it later.

Do not lay hands on the faults of others. One must not see the faults of others with a mind of hatred. There is an ancient saying: "Not seeing the faults of others, the self being thus natural, respect above, deference below." One must also not imitate the faults of others; cultivate your own virtues. Even if the Buddha reprimanded faults, it was not out of hatred.

For affairs, great or small, it is necessary to refer to the master of the hall before acting. One who would act without referring to the master of the hall must be expelled from the hall. If the rites between host and guests are confused, the authentic and the partial become difficult to discern.

In the hall and its immediate surroundings, one must not speak in a loud voice nor gather in groups to discuss. The master of the hall must regulate this.

One must not walk in procession in the hall.

One must not wear a rosary in the hall. One must not enter or exit with hands hanging down.

One must not recite sutras or read them in the

the hall. An exception can be made if a donor invites a group reading of a sutra.

In the hall, one must not sniffle loudly or spit forcefully. Instead, lament that your practice of the Way is not yet perfectly realized. Regret that time passes fleetingly and steals the life of your practice. Naturally have the mind of a fish in a little water.

The residents of the hall must not wear colored clothing. They must wear clothing of hemp or linen. Since ancient times, all those who have realized the Way have acted thus.

One must not enter the hall in a state of intoxication. If, through forgetfulness, one commits a fault, one must prostrate and repent. One must also not bring alcohol inside. One must not enter the hall with the smell of garlic or onion.

Those who quarrel must both descend to the novices' dormitory. Not only do they obstruct their own practice of the Way, but they also obstruct that of others. The one who, witnessing a quarrel, does not stop it, will incur the same fault.

The one who does not conform to the teachings of the community must be expelled with a spirit of equality towards all. If one acts with a spirit of mockery or inequality, there will be a fault.

One must not invite monks or laypeople into the hall and disturb the assembly. Even nearby, one must not speak loudly with guests. Above all, do not boast of your practice to covet offerings. Have you long had the aspiration for study and practice? Passing pilgrims can exceptionally enter. In this case as well, it is necessary to refer to the master of the hall.

Seated meditation must be done as in the monks' hall. The morning and evening visits to the master must in no way be neglected.

At mealtime (breakfast and lunch), the one who drops a utensil from the alms bowl on the floor must, according to the rule of the monasteries, pay a fine in oil.

As a rule, one must absolutely observe the precepts established by the Buddhas and the Patriarchs. The pure rules of the monasteries must be engraved in the bones and in the heart.

Let us wish to live a whole life in peace and realize the Way in non-action.

The articles above are the spirit and body of the ancient Buddhas. Respect them and follow them.

Shown by the founding monk Dōgen of the temple Kannon-dōri Kōshō-hokoku-ji, the twenty-fifth day of the fourth moon of the second year of the Ryakunin era (year of the earth pig).

Rules for the Thick Cloud Hall of the temple Kannon-dōri Kōshō-hokoku-ji.

The master of the hall at the time, Sōshin, copied this text to transmit it to later generations. That is why at the end of versions disseminated in modern times, one sometimes finds added the four characters "master of the hall Sōshin." However, one must know that he is not its author.