Then he arranged his seat and sat down

When the begging was finished, the food eaten, his robe and bowl stored, and his feet cleansed, after this basic routine had been attended to, the Buddha then arranged his seat and sat down. This does not mean that he piled pillows beneath and pillows behind, pillows all around and then eased himself onto a plush couch like some people do. It means he made a gesture or two, straightened a mat, tidied the seat a bit, and then sat down.

Real mark prajña was expressed in the Buddha’s performance of the daily routine. That is not to say the emphasis was placed on the performance itself, to announce, “I cultivate!” Rather, if one understands dharma, everything is cultivation. That is not true of one who affects the manner of an experienced cultivator declaring, “Look at me, I just sit here thus,” whereas the next minute finds him fidgeting, squirming, and talking a mile a minute. People who cultivate the Way seldom talk. Do not talk too much. If you do you will hinder other people’s cultivation as well as your own. In a place where the sangha lives one cannot hear the sound of a single voice. If conversation is necessary it is carried on in very low tones so as not to disturb others. People who wish to use effort in cultivation of the Way should study the Buddha and in every movement, every gesture, avoid obstructing others.