New Thread: Why Priest?

[Prashanth]

Question to Unsuis and Transmitted Priests:
What made you go from "I want to learn about Zen/meditate" to "I want to become a priest"?

Relatedly, what difference would it have made if you remained as a "lay" practitioner?

Gassho.

Sat lah.

p.s to admin: please move this to another appropriate thread if this is not the right one.

Sent from my GS190 using Tapatalk

[Jundo]

I did move this to another thread, Prashanth, because I do think it such a good topic.

I will wait to hear what the priests say, but I will say right away that Ordination needs to be moving to a role of service to others. Rather than just a passenger on the ship, one is the engine room crew trying to help the passengers.

Gassho, Jundo

STLah

[Kokuu]

Hi Prasanth

It is a good question. My honest answer is that priesthood felt like the next step in my practice, both for my own sake to go deeper into this rich tradition of Dogen and Soto Zen, and also so that I could share that with others. There was also the possibility that I could help more with people who were practicing with chronic illness and/or disability as I do.

Jundo's point that priesthood is a path of service is entirely right, and what I have found is that service is the entirety of the priesthood. We are here to serve you all in helping to run Treeleaf and being of support in any way that we can. As soon as you ordain, you go from reading the forum to learn and interact for your own benefit, to looking for where you can help someone out or support them, or let Jundo know that someone needs help and support.

If I had not ordained, my practice would have been similar, and I would just have found other ways to help out.

Apologies for running long.

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday-

[aprapti]

If I had not ordained, my practice would have been similar, and I would just have found other ways to help out.

This is the way i see it too. I found ways..

aprapti

sat

[Kokuu]

This is the way i see it too. I found ways..

[Doshin]

This is the way i see it too. I found ways..

aprapti

sat

Doshin
St

[Tomás ESP]

I have found is that service is the entirety of the priesthood.

Gassho, Tomás
Sat&LaH

[Kakunen]

Hi

I like to sit Zazen,but I have no experiense to just sit Zazen.I always sit with Buddha.
From first time,before I met Zazen,I have kind of destiny to be monk.

Ancestors,family,friends,teacher,and all my experiences leaded me.

If you will be monk,if you have no such like situations,maybe difficult to be as good monk.
And difficult to keep to practicing as monk.

As Buddha and Master Dogen thought like so,first I seek my answer of my difficult life.(What is Buddha?)

I am sorry for Jundo and Kokku,but for me I wanted to help me first.

After that naturally,I start to feel,help neighbour,family,and all being.
This is big power,I feel I support them,and also be supported by them.

If I do not have such like feeling,I did not join Treeleaf.
I am Japanese,I can not speak and understand and write English 7 years ago,
when I start to practice.

Gassho
LAH sat
Kakunen

[Koushi]

What made you go from "I want to learn about Zen/meditate" to "I want to become a priest"?

It's been almost ten years now since I stumbled upon Zen and sat consistently... and for the vast majority of that time, the idea of becoming a priest never crossed my mind. It wasn't until a couple of years ago, after a lifetime of mistakes, growth, close calls, and getting myself in a much better place, did the idea of ordaining come around. The pandemic also played a large part—insofar as bearing witness to countless deaths, people I've known my entire life experience depression and anxiety for the first time, and hearing stories of hospital chaplains being the last bit of comfort so many experienced, even if it was just presence they could provide. I want to be of service to others—and live a life congruent with that. IMO there's nothing of elevation of becoming a priest—simply a lowering of oneself to be of service in the manner(s) needed.

And yet, I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the fact that without Jundo and Treeleaf, and especially a few member's encouragement, conversations, and gentle honesty, I would not be in the position I am today to be ordained. In all honesty, I would not be where and who I am today without Treeleaf, the friendships fostered, and the fellowship gained. Any chance to give back to the sangha that has so bountifully given is a chance I absolutely want to take.

Sorry for running long,

Gassho,
Koushi
STLaH

[Meian]

This is the way i see it too. I found ways..

Gassho2

stlh

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

[Anchi]

This is the way i see it too. I found ways..

aprapti

sat

[Amelia]

It seemed natural to continue my practice as an unsui. The simple answer is that I have always wanted to do so. When I had been practicing with Treeleaf for a long time it seemed time to start.

I look at being a priest as an important role in helping to keep this tradition and this practice alive for those who come next, and to deepen my own practice along the way. It also shines a spotlight on my own life that keeps me prodding myself to "stay awake" for the sake of myself and everyone in the sangha, and to practice as whole-heartedly as I can. It also helps me to see where I make excuses for myself in my own life, because I no longer practice for myself.

If I can be or have been of any help to anyone in this role, then that will have been the greatest value.

Gassho
Sat, lah

[Jundo]

If I had not ordained, my practice would have been similar, and I would just have found other ways to help out.

But perhaps there are certain roles and traditions, and a certain level of commitment to preserving the teachings and maintaining the Sangha, that a priest can do which even a very dedicated person who is not a priest cannot do so easily.

Maybe it is something like saying that a licensed judge who went to law school and apprenticed with experienced lawyers for several years will tend to be better at knowing and maintaining the court system than just someone who knows a lot about the law and wishes to be helpful in helping others with their legal matters. Granted, there are a lot of TERRIBLE judges too, unfortunately, but they would tend to be better qualified to maintain the system and help it work justly.

Something like that.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Prashanth]

Thank you for sharing your stories.
Thanks also to Jundo for highlighting that to become a priest means to train to serve, to serve, to serve.

Gassho.

Sat lah.

Sent from my GS190 using Tapatalk

[Tai Shi]

I would like to be a priest. However, I am married to my life partner who objects. Second, I don't have health to be a priest. I am intellectually recovering from a life event that changed me. I am 70. I can expect more life events. My wife of 40 years, June 12, objects saying, "You are just a guy. Be a good guy." She applauds the team's decision to make me Ubasoku. She believes I can serve both as example and as positive person in our Sangha. She also believes Ubasoku won't interfere with my long and arduous path to health. It's obvious that at 70 and 67 we both had intelligent lives of service to humanity. Now we need time to get to know each other more deeply. Long ago the surprise of a little girl, now a brilliant woman, made us family. Finally, dad helps mom. It was just mom for many years. In our Sangha, I continue to serve Treeleaf Buddhism. I want to serve with nearly eight years here. Ubasoku provides good reason for service. I would not be moral without Treeleaf. I never knew how to do that before. I am a good senior, family without pressure. Physical and intellectual strain makes priesthood hard. As Ubasoku, I can serve. I love you all.
Gassho
st/lah