Celebrate Your Dharma Name

[Shokai]

Once again I'll ask the question; "What do you think of your new Dharma Name?"

I enjoy doing this every new Jukai Ceremony. I watched you receiving the precepts and your new name. But, does it have to end there. I remember my feelings on that day and I'd like to hear what you think. Please share the kanji (Japanese Characters) and translation as you understand it. What does it mean to you and why you think Jundo chose it especially for you.

Gassho, Shokai

sattoday

[Zenmei]

Once again I'll ask the question; "What do you think of your new Dharma Name?"

I enjoy doing this every new Jukai Ceremony. I watched you receiving the precepts and your new name. But, does it have to end there. I remember my feelings on that day and I'd like to hear what you think. Please share the kanji (Japanese Characters) and translation as you understand it. What does it mean to you and why you think Jundo chose it especially for you.

Gassho, Shokai

sattoday

全 Zen
明 Mei

All Bright. Or Complete Clarity.

I've said a couple of times that it's obviously ironic. Jundo and I settled on "aspirational". I think that's a good word for it.

I've struggled in great delusion for years. In the last year, I've come a long way towards clarifying, shining some brightness into the dark. This practice has helped me turn my life around by letting me start to see through my delusion. So that brightness, that clarity, is something I'm going to continue to develop.

Gassho,
Zenmei
#sat

[Jakuden]

全 Zen
明 Mei

All Bright. Or Complete Clarity.

I've said a couple of times that it's obviously ironic. Jundo and I settled on "aspirational". I think that's a good word for it.

I've struggled in great delusion for years. In the last year, I've come a long way towards clarifying, shining some brightness into the dark. This practice has helped me turn my life around by letting me start to see through my delusion. So that brightness, that clarity, is something I'm going to continue to develop.

Gassho,
Zenmei
#sat

Some of us could always see that brightness in you easily Zenmei [emoji6] I have a feeling that you are already using it to shine some light into others' dark tunnels.

FWIW I found my dharma name quite "aspirational" initially. Actually I LOL'd. I was--and still can be--the queen of worrywarts. But serenity has crept in like a silent snowfall in winter, to soften all the sharp edges and outlines in the field. Go figure.

Gassho
Jakuden
SatToday


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[Rakurei]

When is the next Jukai? The process typically begins in fall, yes?

[Zenmei]

When is the next Jukai? The process typically begins in fall, yes?

Jukai happens every January. The process of studying the precepts and sewing your rakusu happens during Ango, a three month period of intensified practice that starts in early September.

Gassho, zenmei
#sat

[Koushu]

拡 Kou
手 Shu

Kou meaning spread or widening
Shu meaning hand or in the abstract is used to mean way.

Spreading or enveloping, adapting or evolving, is how I see my life, studies, and the universe. Kou in this way spreads throughout my being to a subtle point of usou/musou (form/no form). It cannot be explained nor expanded upon, it just is.

Hand or way is what bridges both the usou and musou of Kou, it also unites the practice with the action. It encompasses the precepts, as well as the Hannya Shingyo (Heart Sutra) on the universal and physical level.

Before the Jukai I understood and had touched (in the slightest) upon all of my previous training in Zen-Shu, Shingon Shu, and Tibetan Buddhism. Since taking my vows (Jukai) my experiences have been unexplainable both in my practice and life.

雪がひらひら舞い落ちる snow falling
梅の花が徐々に咲き始める plum blossoms bloom
心が穏やかになっていく heart calmed

This is the best way I could explain it.

As for why Jundo Sensei gave me this name I will leave it to intuition.

Gassho
拡手 Koushu

Satoday

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[Enjaku]

Great idea Shokai,
It's nice to hear others' reflections.

援 Helping
若 Youth

I support young people in my work as a therapist so the name is a touching nod to that.
I increasingly view this practice as a process of opening my heart. Sometimes I'm opening my heart to the suffering of others, sometimes to my own suffering. Like Zenmei, I've been lost and I've suffered a great deal. You could say there's a youth in me who also needs my support and compassion. I'm very grateful for this name.

Gassho,
Enjaku
Sat

[Taiyo]

太 Tai (Great)
陽 Yō (Sun)

Thank you, Shokai! Pretty much like Zenmei, at first I also thought it was playfully ironic since I'm from the raniest city in an country otherwise famous for its sun

Joking apart, it makes me think of the big, warm Sun which is always present behind all the clouds we tend to create in our minds. For me, it's an aspiration to remember it's always there embracing everything and shining through everything, and to help every sentient being enjoy its warmth as well.

Gassho,
Taiyō.

SatToday.

[Kyotai]

Great to see the new names. Congrats to all.

Gassho, Kyotai
ST

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[Tanjin]

How do I insert the Kanji?

Gassho,
Tanjin
SatToday

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[Zenmei]

How do I insert the Kanji?

Gassho,
Tanjin
SatToday

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The easiest way is probably to search for them on http://jisho.org and copy and paste. I spent way too long trying to figure out how to input Japanese on my computer.

Gassho, Zenmei
#sat

[Mp]

How do I insert the Kanji?

Gassho,
Tanjin
SatToday

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Hey Tanjin,

What is the translation Jundo gave you? This will help ...

Gassho
Shingen

s@today

[Kokuu]

So lovely to give everyone this opportunity to share their new name, Shokai.

Great to hear about each of the meanings. Thank you for sharing and congratulations!

Gassho
Kokuu (black crow)
-sattoday-

[Tanjin]

Hey Tanjin,

What is the translation Jundo gave you? This will help ...

Gassho
Shingen

s@today

It is Exploring Person.

Thanks!
Tanjin
SatToday

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[Mp]

It is Exploring Person.

Thanks!
Tanjin
SatToday

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Hmmm, I can find the Kanji for person, but exploring is a bit tricky. Best ask Jundo or you can use this website http://tangorin.com/kanji/Tan and maybe you can find the charcater that is on the back of your rakusu .... =)

Gassho
Shingen

s@today