While attending a Pure Land retreat, it struck me that there is a wide variety of differences in what participants bring along. Flanking the sides of the Buddha hall, they would put their bags, but usually first bringing one or more items from them, to put beside their meditation cushions for easier access.
Some bags are chunky and some less so. (I do wonder what’s in them.) Some are without any bags at akll. Some have big water bottles next to their cushions, with other ‘special equipment’, like an extra towel for warmth, chanting counters… (Are they really needed in every case?) Some have just a small water bottle, or even nothing.
It made me think… How many ‘things’ do we need to practise the Dharma well? What is the minimal? What is too much? Do we hoard too much physically, and thus mentally, even when in a retreat? Do these things complicate practice or faciliate it? If they are absolutely necessary, what if they are unavailable on the deathbed? You might not even be able to use a cushion then!