A Monk's Guide to a Clean House and Mind

by Shoukei Matsumoto

  How to Deodorize

  Though the lovely smell of incense at the temple is supported by yin, or shadow, the materials that it is actually made out of are usually charcoal and green tea. The kinokuni citrus tree and spike winter hazel are particularly popular for producing high-grade charcoal, which can be used not only for decorative purposes, but also for emergency heating.

  When choosing decorative pieces for the interior of your home, try pairing together seasonal flowers and fruit. Another popular deodorizer used at temples, which you can try when expecting guests, is placing the dried dregs of green tea or coffee in your entrance or toilet.

  Mould

  Exactly why is it that mould grows?

  Well, since mould is a living organism, when it finds a good place to live it settles there. Places that mould are particularly fond of include areas with little sunlight, little air, and lots of moisture.

  No matter its purpose, a room with nothing in it is a place where mould will not grow. However, a room filled to the brim with so many things that they can no longer be organized, where sunlight is blocked, the airflow is restricted and moisture builds up, is the kind of environment that’s perfect for mould. A room filled with so many things that they can no longer be organized is proof of a clouded heart. The growth of mould in a room coincides with the growth of mould in the heart.

  The best way to prevent mould is to not keep things that are prone to become mouldy. The other way is to avoid creating environments in which mould can grow.

  In order to do this you must not hold on to unnecessary objects, and you must not put unnecessary things in a room. It is vital that you get rid of anything that you do not need.

  Keep your home well organized, and make sure to completely dry an item before putting it away. Be particularly selective with the things you choose to leave around areas where there is water; the key is to remove all moisture. By being mindful not to create damp environments, you will also be mindful not to create spaces where mould can grow.

  Moisture often appears on the panes of windows in modern, airtight buildings, leading to the growth of mould. If this happens in your home, be sure to completely wipe the windows down and remove all moisture. If you completely remove all the moisture from the windows, there is no need to use an antibacterial spray. This is all you need to do to prevent mould.

  Rooms where mould grows are good for neither the body nor the heart.

  Completely remove any dampness, and always keep your home clean.

  Windows

  Glass is the very symbol of transparency and non-attachment. If your windows are cloudy or dusty, your mind will become cloudy as well.

  Buddhist teachings stress the importance of shattering the blurry filter of the self, and viewing the world around you as it truly is. See and accept things the way they are. Learning to do so will help you achieve a state of enlightenment.

  An ideal window will be cleaned to the point where you don’t even notice that there is glass there, and you can enjoy the view without distraction. Try your hand at cleaning your windows until they are free of any spots of dirt or cloudiness.

  How to Clean Your Windows

  Newspaper will come in handy when cleaning glass. Lightly crumple a piece of newspaper, apply a small amount of soap and water, then wipe your windows until they are squeaky clean.

  Newspaper is much better than rags or towels when cleaning windows. Unlike paper, towels tend to leave little hairs and other particulates on glass surfaces. Start by tackling the big smudges, then wipe systematically from one side to the other, going back and forth with the newspaper on a given spot before moving on. The job is done once there is no more moisture left.

  You can use shop-bought soap, or use what is already in your cupboard. Soapy water with vinegar added to it is a great cleaning solution.

  Screens

  Be sure not to forget about your screens when you clean your windows. Remember that window screens are exposed to the outside, and are much dirtier than you may think. Since the outside air passes through your screens, dirty screens means dirty air. Clean them carefully, making sure that there is no grime in the countless tiny holes in the mesh.

  A person cannot live if their breathing is compromised. Proper breathing is not only an integral part of Zen meditation, it is the flow that connects your body to the world around you.

  Think of your windows as the way your house breathes. If your screens are gunked up, the air becomes stagnant, and your house starts to suffocate. Clean your screens well, and maintain a healthy flow of air between the inside and the outside.

  How to Clean Your Screens

  Wiping screens down regularly should be enough to keep them looking nice. However, very dirty screens should be removed from their frame, then taken outside and cleaned with a hose. Using a sponge or scouring pad is a great way to get into all the nooks and crannies.

  Clean your screens as if you are cleaning your soul, allowing the air to flow through freely.

  Once you have cleaned your screens, be sure to let them dry thoroughly before putting them back. If they are not completely dry, the excess moisture will drip into the window frame as well as on to the ground, attracting dust and dirt.

  Gardens

  Your garden is a place where you can get in touch with nature. Humans can’t survive for long out in the wilderness, but we also can’t survive without it. The garden is where we can observe and learn about the delicate balance that allows us, and indeed our plants, to exist.

  Different temples have different types of gardens, each with its own individual character. What a person sees in a garden is a reflection of what is in their heart.

  Because our gardens are a part of nature, they never look exactly the same twice. Start by listening to the voices of the vegetation around you. Notice how the voice within you responds. Your garden is a place where your body and soul can be in dialogue with your surroundings.

  Gardening tools can rust easily, so you should treat them with care. As we have seen, if you don’t keep your tools in proper working condition, they will become less and less effective, and the risk of injury will be increased. After every use you should clean the dirt off them, then give them a once-over with a grindstone. Be sure they are fully dry before putting them away. If you do this, your tools will always be in tip-top condition when you need them.

  One important thing about gardening is to decide on a sensible amount that you would like to get done on the day. Don’t push yourself too much. If you always leave a little bit of fuel in your tank, you will always be ready to return outside and get your hands dirty again. Go out there and engage with nature!

  Gardening work is done mornings and evenings at temples. Get started in the morning, take a rest in the afternoon when the sun is at its hottest, then resume in the evening.

  It is essential to stay hydrated while you work. We take tea breaks at ten in the morning and three in the afternoon. Taking regular breaks like this allows us to stay energized throughout the day.

  We try to avoid using weedkiller. This is because it can be harmful to creatures such as earthworms and moles, and can negatively affect the quality of the soil. In order to have the best soil possible, you need to look out for nature as a whole. After all, all living things are connected.

  Communing with nature gives richness to our minds. Examine nature, and then examine yourself through the lens of nature. You might be surprised at what you find.

  Tending Your Garden

  Monks find that cotton gloves and cotton socks are quite handy for gardening. They are comfortable and easy to clean if you get them dirty. We often wrap a towel or handkerchief around our head for protection from the sun as well.

  If your garden is looking a bit dreary you should water it, weed it and then cut the grass. In order to get down to the roots, allow your sickle to just penetrate the soil’s surface. Going too deep will cake your tools with dirt and you will end up making large holes in the ground.

&
nbsp; Terraces

  There is one corner of the grounds at my temple dubbed Kamiyacho Open Terrace that is open to the public. On weekdays many people working in the area bring their bento and perhaps a beverage here around lunchtime. It has come to be called Otera Café (Temple Café).

  The terrace at the temple is similar to a terrace or decking area at your home. It is a place to sip drinks and entertain guests on sunny days, or spend time with your family at the weekend. In order to create a space where people can sit and relax, it is important to be attentive to clutter and grime. Hospitality starts with cleanliness. Be sure to make it a beautiful place where anyone can feel content.

  Setting Up Your Terrace

  Creating a space where you can relax and clear your mind requires adequate plant life. If your decking area or terrace faces out towards your garden, you should always keep that garden nicely kept. If it doesn’t, you should get hold of subtle plants and greenery to bring a feeling of nature to your surroundings.

  When expecting company, be sure to thoroughly wipe down your outdoor chairs, tables, handrails, and any other surfaces your guests might touch during their visit. Be sure to look high and low for things like spider webs as well.

  Walkways

  Temples will often have a long walkway, called a sando, leading up to the main building. The people who come to worship will take this path all the way to the altar, where they will straighten up their posture and offer a prayer. As we walk this path we prepare our hearts to come face to face with Buddha.

  Although the average home does not have or need a sando, the path up to your door is the same idea. As you leave your home to face the day in the morning, and indeed as you come home in the evening, it represents the fantastic possibilities the day has to offer, and a safe place to rest once the day is done.

  When you are on the path, try to stop at some point and take a deep breath, and let yourself be filled with gratitude.

  Uchimizu

  We have a practice called uchimizu wherein we sprinkle water on to a street or path, cooling down the area as well as damping down dust and other particulates. Uchimizu was originally practised at Shinto shrines.

  If you know what time your family member or loved one is coming home, why not give uchimizu a try? It is a way to express gratitude that the person has come home safely, and to instil happiness in them with the thought that someone has been awaiting their arrival.

  Even those of us living in a block of flats can do this. Think of the walk leading up to your front door as your sando. Showing respect to all those who share this path is sure to send ripples of gratitude through your neighbourhood and your community.

  Breathing

  People who practise yoga are no doubt familiar with this, but there is a centuries-old Indian tradition of using proper breathing to calm the mind and body. It is said that even after achieving enlightenment Shakyamuni sat in quiet meditation beneath the Bodhi tree and continued to focus on correct breathing.

  Breathing is what keeps us alive, whether we are sleeping or awake. Without us having to do anything our heart beats, our blood flows, our food is digested, and we breathe through our lungs. But among these involuntary bodily processes there is one that you can control: your breathing.

  When you begin to lose your composure, your breathing will also become disturbed. This is proof that the two are connected. Be conscious of how you breathe, and make each breath count.

  How to Breathe Properly

  Exhaling and inhaling are the foundations of good breathing. Before breathing in, you should breathe out the contents of your lungs completely. Correcting your breathing will have a positive effect on your mind, allowing you to feel more balanced.

  1 Take a long, slow exhaling breath through your mouth, focusing on the spot just below your belly button. Imagine that you are squeezing the air out of that spot.

  2 Once you have exhaled fully, begin inhaling through your nose, again focusing on the spot below your belly button. This time, picture that you are filling that spot with air.

  Washing Your Face

  Cleaning doesn’t only apply to your surroundings. I would also like to talk about how to clean your body and mind.

  For example, you should wash your face first thing in the morning. Obviously face-washing is an everyday practice in every home, but did you know that it has a deeper meaning?

  There is an old Zen teaching that says that if you haven’t washed your face, everything you do throughout the day will be impolite and hasty. You don’t wash your face because it is dirty. Washing your face is important regardless of how clean or dirty it might be.

  You must not go out in public until you have washed your face.

  Cleansing your skin and purifying your mind before you face the day is the bedrock of common courtesy.

  At Eihei Temple we wash our faces with a senmenjukin, an over two-metre-long towel used specifically for this purpose. We roll up our sleeves beforehand so as not to splash water on our robes.

  We never use more than one bucketful of water. The water in the bucket is for washing our head and face, and brushing our teeth. Water is a blessing from nature, without which humans could not exist. We should use that blessing well, never wasting a drop. We should wash our faces with a sense of gratitude to nature.

  I understand that most people are not going to wash their faces like this at home and that most people don’t own the items that I have described. But we can still commit ourselves to conserving water and not leaving the tap running while we are out of the room. Rinse your towel well once you have finished, then hang it out to dry.

  Don’t underestimate the good that can come from washing your face. The fact that it is a part of your daily routine is all the more reason why you should be mindful and deliberate while you do it.

  This is the key to a sound mind.

  How to Wash Your Face

  Fill a small bucket or other container with water. The main goal here is not removing dirt, and soap is not needed. Start with your forehead, then go on to the eyebrows, eyes, nose, and so on, moving downwards. Then clean from behind your ears to the tip of your chin.

  Clean your face and your mind will become clearer. No matter how early you get up, you will be able to feel refreshed. Your heart and soul will be revitalized before you know it.

  Brushing Your Teeth

  Our mouths are one of the most important parts of our body.

  Eating, speaking and breathing all involve the mouth. Buddhist teachings talk of shinkui no sango, which refers to the three types of behaviours that humans engage in, involving the mind, body and mouth. They teach that we must polish our behaviours associated not just with mind and body, but also with our mouth. Brushing your teeth is a way to keep your main channel for communicating with others clean. Be sure to be thorough and attentive when you do this.

  How to Brush Your Teeth

  In a Zen temple brushing your teeth is something that we pay great attention to. The Zen master Dogen taught that you should brush your teeth as if you were putting a fine polish on them.

  To prevent cavities, it is of course important to thoroughly clean in the spaces between your teeth. Master Dogen stressed the importance of doing this as well as brushing your tongue.

  Cleanliness is close to enlightenment, and so is a clean mouth with a fresh breath.

  Meals

  In this busy modern age, far too many of us rush our meals, barely even noticing what exactly we are consuming. This is a great shame.

  We all know that humans cannot live without food. Your body is made of the food you eat, and therefore neglecting to consider how and what you eat is the same as neglecting your body. By neglecting your body you are neglecting your mind.

  Food is what creates and sustains us, so let’s all pay a little bit more attention to what we eat.

  People who are interested in Japanese tea probably know that it was originally brought to Japan as a medicine. You really cannot discuss the traditional Japane
se tea ceremony without any mention of Buddhism. We think of our manners during meal time as just as important as during a formal tea ceremony.

  During my time at Hongan Temple in Kyoto, everyone would put their hands together in prayer before meals, give words of thanks in chorus, then proceed to eat in silent gratitude. You too should try eating a meal deliberately, enjoying each individual bite to the fullest.

  Know just how much food is enough. Aim to stop when you are about 80 per cent full. If you make sure to truly enjoy each bite of food, you may find that you feel full and satisfied much sooner. Learn to do this and you will never overeat again.

  Shinshin ichinyo refers to the idea that the mind and the body are one. Trying to think of them as separate is folly. Meals, manners and gratitude: put these elements together and you too can live in harmony.

  Meal Etiquette

  Even at home you can show your gratitude before and after meals by putting your hands together and reciting a Buddhist prayer. Here are two of the traditional prayers.