ANNOUNCEMENT: Dharma Transmission of Kandō Bion

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  • Jundo
    Treeleaf Founder and Priest
    • Apr 2006
    • 44503

    ANNOUNCEMENT: Dharma Transmission of Kandō Bion

    adv1.jpg

    Dear All,

    An auspicious and happy announcement for our Treeleaf Sangha ...

    Master Dogen wrote in Shobogenzo-Menju, Face-To-Face Transmission:

    “Then Śākyamuni Buddha, in the order on Vulture Peak in the Western Country, India, among an assembly of millions, picked up an uḍumbara flower and winked. At that time the face of Venerable Mahākāśyapa broke into a smile. Śākyamuni Buddha said, ‘I possess the right Dharma-eye treasury and the fine mind of nirvana. I transmit them to Mahākāśyapa.’”

    ...

    In this way the true ancestral masters of successive generations have each passed on the face-to-face transmission through the disciple regarding the master and the master seeing the disciple. ... When master and disciple have definitely seen each other, have been seen by each other, have given the face-to-face transmission, and have succeeded to the Dharma, that is the realization of the truth which resides in the ancestors’ face-to-face transmission. Thus, master and disciple have directly taken on the brightness of the Tathāgata’s face. In sum, even after thousands of years, or myriad years, or hundreds of kalpas, or koṭis of kalpas, this face-to-face transmission is the appearance of the face of, and the realization of the transmission from, Śākyamuni Buddha. ... Even before a word is comprehended and even before understanding of half a word is transcended, when the master has seen the back of the disciple’s head, and the disciple has regarded the master through the crown of the head, that is the authentic face-to-face transmission
    I am so very pleased to announce that I have bestowed Dharma Transmission upon a Priest of this Sangha, Kandō Bion Boncutiu (緩道 美音). He is now recognized as a Fully Ordained Priest and Teacher in the Soto Zen Tradition and this Lineage. I hope that you will rejoice with us and so welcome him. This Soto Zen Tradition continues from generation to generation in this manner.

    He joins his Transmitted Dharma Siblings in this Lineage, Jindō Shōkai Maxwell, Hondō Kyōnin Barros, Fukudō Kokuu McLellan, Jikidō Sekishi Weik, Ralf Gidō Kotei Prehn and Bidō Onkai Zolas.

    As such, his work here at Treeleaf is done, and he is free to go where he wishes to establish his own Sangha and his own students. There is no need for him to remain here now, at Treeleaf. That being said, it is my understanding that he wishes to stay, and in that, I rejoice and so welcome his presence. I know that he will remain the same beautiful Bion as always. Please know that, should anything ever happen to me whereby I am unable to continue my own role at Treeleaf, this place would be in the good hands of Shokai, Kyonin, Kokuu, Sekishi, Kotei, Onkai and Bion, in no order of rank, and their successors, although I have asked Kotei to manage things in my stead.

    The Ceremony of Dharma Transmission is traditionally conducted privately and face-to-face, only between Teacher and Disciple, as was done in this as well. This Soto Zen Tradition continues from generation to generation in this manner.

    Master Dogen has written ...

    In conclusion, the great truth of the Buddhist Ancestors is nothing other than a face giving and a face receiving, and the reception of a face and the giving of a face, beyond which there is nothing surplus and nothing lacking. We should rejoice in, delight in, believe in, and serve whatever has had the opportunity to meet this face-to-face transmission, even if it is our own features
    Nine Bows, Chigen Jundō (知原 純道)
    ~~~~~~~~~

    . adv1.jpg

    ~~~~~~~~~


    Last edited by Jundo; 05-20-2026, 12:55 AM.
    ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE
  • Tosei
    Member
    • Jul 2020
    • 220

    #2
    I have such joy in my heart to read this.

    nine bows to my friend, to this sangha, and to all who strive for a more peaceful world.

    Tōsei\satlah
    東西 - Tōsei - East West
    there is only what is, and it is all miraculous

    Comment

    • Shujin
      Novice Priest-in-Training
      • Feb 2010
      • 1515

      #3
      Congratulations, brother! Your dedication, sincerity and service to our sangha are a gift.

      Gassho,
      Shujin
      Kyōdō Shujin 教道 守仁

      Comment

      • Shinshi
        Senior Priest-in-Training
        • Jul 2010
        • 4285

        #4
        Such fantastic news! I am very happy for you Bion.

        Gassho, Shinshi
        空道 心志 Kudo Shinshi

        For Zen students a weed is a treasure. With this attitude, whatever you do, life becomes an art.
        ​— Shunryu Suzuki

        E84I - JAJ

        Comment

        • Hokuu
          Member
          • Apr 2023
          • 222

          #5
          Oh my, congratulations!

          gassho
          satlah
          歩空​ (Hokuu)
          歩 = Walk / 空 = Sky (or Emptiness)
          "Moving through life with the freedom of walking through open sky"

          Comment

          • Taiji
            Member
            • Jun 2025
            • 171

            #6
            What wonderful news! I'm full of such joy for you! Congratulations, and thank you for everything you do for this sangha.

            Gassho,
            Taiji
            Sat/LAH Today
            Taiji / 泰侍
            "Peaceful Samurai"

            Comment

            • Kotei
              Dharma Transmitted Priest
              • Mar 2015
              • 5188

              #7
              Congratulations, brother!
              I hope to continue walking this path together with you for a long, long time.

              Nine bows,
              Kotei sat/lah today.
              義道 冴庭 / Gidō Kotei.

              Comment

              • IanSmith
                Member
                • Dec 2012
                • 146

                #8
                wonderful news, many congratulations my dear friend
                sat/lah
                Last edited by IanSmith; 05-19-2026, 07:15 PM.
                “We should never simply write ourselves off or see each other as a victim of various forces. It’s always our decision who we are.”
                Dr Robert C Solomon.

                神 器 / Shinki ( sincere vessel )

                Comment

                • Shonin Risa Bear
                  Member
                  • Apr 2019
                  • 974

                  #9
                  Kandō Bion!



                  gassho
                  shonin sat, some lah

                  Visiting priest: use salt

                  Comment

                  • Keidô NR
                    Member
                    • Apr 2026
                    • 5

                    #10
                    Congratulations ! It is great news for the Soto Zen Tradition !
                    Gasshô

                    satlah
                    Shô Zan - "Auspicious Mountain"
                    Kei Dô - "Joyful Way"

                    Comment

                    • Onkai
                      Dharma Transmitted Priest
                      • Aug 2015
                      • 3717

                      #11
                      Congratulations, my Dharma brother and friend, Bion! This is wonderful news. You are a great friend to have along the way.

                      Gassho, Onkai
                      Sat lah
                      美道 Bidou (Beautiful Way)
                      恩海 Onkai (Merciful/Kind Ocean)
                      She/her
                      I will always have a lot to learn

                      Comment

                      • Junsho
                        Member
                        • Mar 2024
                        • 445

                        #12
                        I am so happy for you Bion! Congratulations!

                        Gassho and deep bows!
                        SatLah
                        Junshō 純聲 - Pure Voice, Genuine Speech

                        Each time we fall asleep, we die; each time we wake, we are reborn.

                        Comment

                        • Shui_Di
                          Member
                          • Apr 2008
                          • 408

                          #13
                          Congratulations Bion, we are so lucky for having you as the teacher in Treeleaf. Deep bows.

                          Gassho, Mujo
                          Stlah
                          Practicing the Way means letting all things be what they are in their Self-nature. - Master Dogen.

                          Comment

                          • Taikyo
                            Member
                            • Aug 2025
                            • 49

                            #14

                            Congratulations, Bion! I’m so happy.
                            Thank you for your selfless efforts in supporting and guiding us along the way.

                            Gassho,
                            Taikyo
                            sat/lah




                            Taikyo / 泰居 ​
                            "calm presence"

                            Comment

                            • Tairin
                              Member
                              • Feb 2016
                              • 3305

                              #15
                              Congratulations Bion! I am so happy to read this wonderful news.


                              Tairin
                              sat today and lah
                              泰林 - Tai Rin - Peaceful Woods

                              Comment

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