Walking meditation also known as circumambulation. It refers to reciting Buddha Name (Namo Amituofo) in motion. The conductor-in-charge leads the prayer by using a hand bell and he is assisted by the wooden-fish player walking behind him.
Walking order of sequence: Conductor-in-charge, the wooden-fish player, monks, nuns, gentlemen with cultivation robes, ladies with cultivation robes, gentlemen without cultivation robes, ladies without cultivation robes and the monk who is in charge of the ceremony.
Purpose of playing the hand bell and the wooden-fish: The sounds help us to concentrate, especially when our minds stray or feeling drowsy.
Sound of wooden-fish also tells us what footstep to take. When it is hit, take the right step.
When we recite "Namo Amituofo" in walking meditation, there are altogether 8 syllables (sounds), ie "Na-mo-Ah-mi-tuo-o-fo-o".
Take a step as we recite a syllable. To enable the procession to walk in step, we take a right step when we recite "Nam". The sound of the wooden fish is our guide.
| No. |
Sound |
Step |
Wooden fish being hit |
| 1 |
Nam |
right |
yes |
| 2 |
Mo |
left |
|
| 3 |
Ah |
right |
yes |
| 4 |
Mi |
left |
|
| 5 |
Tuo |
right |
yes |
| 6 |
O |
left |
|
| 7 |
Fo |
right |
yes |
| 8 |
O |
left |
|
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