Dear All,
Our Treeleaf Sangha is inviting other Zen Sangha (without much success so far) to introduce a short ceremony of recognition of our Zen "Differently-Abled" Ancestors of the past, a symbolic lineage of individuals who faced great obstacles to, or were shut out from, Ordination in past centuries due to mental and physical disabilities. In fact, the Soto Zen Buddhist establishment, in Japan, the Americas and Europe, still makes it very difficult for individuals with health and physical limitations to receive training and recognition as full Priests in Soto Zen, a very real and ongoing form of discrimination that continues to be ignored by organizations such as the Soto Zen Buddhist Association in North America (to which I belong), the Soto-shu in Japan and others.
In our Ceremony in the following short film, taken from our recent Rohatsu Retreat here at Treeleaf, the two priests presiding (our Kokuu and Jinkan) have severe health issues. As we read the "Differently-Abled Ancestors Lineage Recitation," the two priests need to perform the ceremony in a seated position, substituting hand gestures for the normal movement to the Altar and prostrations (the Zagu is raised to the head in place of prostrations). The Doan (Kokuu) recites a list of individuals from Buddhist history who, like the priests who are meeting the same obstacles today, were shut out of the Sangha or had obstacles thrown up to keep them out. All our able bodied Sangha members then "recline" a period of Zazen in support and fellowship with our disabled members, as shown at the end of the following video.
Of the two priests shown in the ceremony, Kokuu, who is leading the chanting, has a debilitating illness which keeps him in bed and rarely able to leave his apartment many days, while the Doshi (Jinkan) performing the Ceremony, shown outlined in the gold box, has Stage 4 Cancer and is presently undergoing Chemo Therapy.
I hope that one or both can someday be recognized more widely as excellent Soto Zen Priests despite the demands of some Soto Zen organizations for types of physical training that are impossible for both.
Gassho, Jundo
STLah
Sorry to run long.
PS - By the way, some folks have asked about our use of "differently-abled" vs. "disabled." When we began to use the term, we researched carefully on preferred terminology in Japan, Europe, North and South America, as well as among different groups and sub-groups. We found no uniformity about this and, in fact, disabled individuals and groups telling us completely opposite opinions. So, we have decided to use all such terminology.
Our Treeleaf Sangha is inviting other Zen Sangha (without much success so far) to introduce a short ceremony of recognition of our Zen "Differently-Abled" Ancestors of the past, a symbolic lineage of individuals who faced great obstacles to, or were shut out from, Ordination in past centuries due to mental and physical disabilities. In fact, the Soto Zen Buddhist establishment, in Japan, the Americas and Europe, still makes it very difficult for individuals with health and physical limitations to receive training and recognition as full Priests in Soto Zen, a very real and ongoing form of discrimination that continues to be ignored by organizations such as the Soto Zen Buddhist Association in North America (to which I belong), the Soto-shu in Japan and others.
In our Ceremony in the following short film, taken from our recent Rohatsu Retreat here at Treeleaf, the two priests presiding (our Kokuu and Jinkan) have severe health issues. As we read the "Differently-Abled Ancestors Lineage Recitation," the two priests need to perform the ceremony in a seated position, substituting hand gestures for the normal movement to the Altar and prostrations (the Zagu is raised to the head in place of prostrations). The Doan (Kokuu) recites a list of individuals from Buddhist history who, like the priests who are meeting the same obstacles today, were shut out of the Sangha or had obstacles thrown up to keep them out. All our able bodied Sangha members then "recline" a period of Zazen in support and fellowship with our disabled members, as shown at the end of the following video.
Of the two priests shown in the ceremony, Kokuu, who is leading the chanting, has a debilitating illness which keeps him in bed and rarely able to leave his apartment many days, while the Doshi (Jinkan) performing the Ceremony, shown outlined in the gold box, has Stage 4 Cancer and is presently undergoing Chemo Therapy.
I hope that one or both can someday be recognized more widely as excellent Soto Zen Priests despite the demands of some Soto Zen organizations for types of physical training that are impossible for both.
Gassho, Jundo
STLah
Sorry to run long.
PS - By the way, some folks have asked about our use of "differently-abled" vs. "disabled." When we began to use the term, we researched carefully on preferred terminology in Japan, Europe, North and South America, as well as among different groups and sub-groups. We found no uniformity about this and, in fact, disabled individuals and groups telling us completely opposite opinions. So, we have decided to use all such terminology.
, but it is very hard to find good role models, mentors, friends who are walking the same special path you are, in an environment (in Buddhism and in life) that refuses to recognize your existence or even acknowledge that you have a voice.
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