Gratitude for Cleaning the Dojo
One of the many things I always look forward to when coming back to Pittsburgh is the opportunity to help clean the dojo after Saturday classes.
“Really?! THAT’S what she looks forward to?!” I can appreciate the disbelief. Here are my “WHYS” for offering to help clean.
I feel grateful every time I clean, for the effort and hard work that the students have given that day.
I feel respect for the traditions of martial artists long before me, who swept and cleaned their dojo, kwoon, temple etc. as an expected part of their training.
I feel a sense of humility when I take off my Black Belt and pull out the cleaning supplies. No one is “above” helping to clean a place of shared learning.
I feel pride as I think back to opening the dojo with S. Master Steve in 2004 – and, more so, to the ongoing energy and community under Master Michele and Sensei Joe’s ownership.
S. Matsumoto, a Shin-Buddhist monk, said “We sweep the temple grounds and gardens, and polish the main temple hall. We don’t do this because it’s dirty or messy. We do it to eliminate the gloom in our hearts…The time we spend carefully cleaning out every nook and cranny of the temple grounds is extremely fulfilling. We live simply and take time to contemplate the self, mindfully living each moment. It’s not just monks who need to live this way. Everyone in today’s busy world needs to do it.”
In today’s busy (and at times crazy) world, these few minutes of cleaning are a quiet reminder of tradition and respect – training of a different type. You know, sort of like “Wax On, Wax Off”!
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