Master Dogen declared in Bendowa:
The Buddhist Ancestors, overflowing with compassion, opened wide a great gate of compassion so that all sentient beings may enter and realize the Truth. Thus, what human being or god would not wish to enter? ... Being able to do so rests only upon whether or not one has the willingness. It is not dependent on whether the body remains at home or leaves home.
ANNOUNCEMENT:
Opening Closed Pathways to Ordination -
~~ The Monastery of Open Doors ~~
Today, as in centuries past, it remains nearly impossible for individuals facing health, disability, age and other equivalent, difficult life obstacles to be ordained and trained for the Buddhist priesthood. People in these circumstances often are unable to travel, or to take up residency in physically demanding Zen training programs. We believe such conditions keep countless sincere, dedicated individuals who would make good Zen priests from having the opportunity to ordain because of their personal situation. Nonetheless, when viewed another way, the very challenges such people live with every day might serve the intentions of priest training, honing Wisdom and Compassion through Zen practice. Truly, illness and other hardships may be life’s most powerful koan, and a hospital bed, wheelchair, or wherever one must be in life can reveal itself as a monastery.
The Monastery of Open Doors (a program of Treeleaf Zendo, a Soto Zen Buddhist Sangha) offers a welcoming environment for people who have:
- long felt a calling to ordination as a Soto Zen Buddhist priest and a role of service to others;
- 10 years or more of demonstrated, devoted, and consistent Zen practice as a lay person in primarily the Soto Zen Buddhist Tradition; and
- the willingness and dedication to undertake training as a novice Zen priest; but who have
- an inability to join in standard, residential priest-training programs at traditional monasteries or Zen centers because of poor health, disability, advanced age, or equivalent life challenges that would prevent one from participating in such a residential program.
It is vital to underline that this program is not for everyone, and in fact, only a select few. Applicants must show, in principle, a decade or more of dedicated Soto Zen practice to date, coupled with evidence of a long standing and sincere calling to service in the priesthood, together with a clear reason why health, disability, age or other life obstacles rendered ordinary priest training avenues impossible. Further, training will not be quick, but requires years of devotion. Training will be largely at a distance, using modern media, which will require the extra dedication, diligence and attention of both teacher and student. This is a rigorous, multi-year process, meant for truly committed individuals who consider the priesthood a lifetime path. No fast shortcut to credentialing as a priest should be expected. There are, in fact, no guarantees of completion or advancement offered at any stage, let alone any promise of eventual authorization as an independent priest or teacher.
If, however, you are sincere in your efforts, trying to do what you can, making a consistent effort over time, we will work with you to provide this training even amidst your other life responsibilities related to health, limitations on your physical or cognitive abilities, duties to care for others, your family, childcare, and the time constraints of your job. If you make the effort, we will work together to build bridges for you to cross.
This is the Monastery of Open Doors: A non-residential path to Soto Zen ordination, the priesthood, and a role of service to others for dedicated, long-time Zen practitioners who live with challenges of health, disability, or equivalent life hardships.
Please note that there is no charge for this program, which is being provided freely as a service to the Zen community by Treeleaf Sangha and its teachers. No financial donation will be requested or required from participants. The true ‘donation’ being asked of you is simply your energy, dedication to training, and focus on helping others.
If you believe that such path may be right for you, please look here for further details and requirements:
Gassho, Jundo
A SHAREABLE VERSION of this ANNOUNCEMENT is here:
PS for our TREELEAF MEMBERS: The above program for long term Zen Practitioners, practicing 10 years or more with disability and equivalent hardship, shortens a little their path to Ordination based on their long dedication to Soto Zen practice. However, Treeleaf will continue our standard doorway to Ordination for folks who have practiced in our Sangha for, in principle, 5 years or more, and who feel a calling to Ordination. There is not guaranty of Ordination for anyone, but I am willing to begin talking about the possibility with anyone who meets such criteria. Jundo
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