For several years, we have maintained a Precepts Recommitment Ceremony (Ryaku Fusatsu, 略布薩, literally "Abbreviated 略 Spreading 布 Benevolence 薩, a Precepts Gathering), described here:
In the early Buddhist saṅgha, monks and nuns gathered at the full and new moons to confess wrongdoing and atone for their actions. On these occasions, the Prātimokṣa (the rules of monastic discipline) was recited, and laypeople were also given the opportunity to follow the same rules as ordained Buddhists for a period of twenty-four hours. In Pāli, these days were known as Uposatha.
The practice of Uposatha spread to other Buddhist countries and, in Japanese Sōtō Zen, evolved into Ryaku Fusatsu, which may be translated as “abbreviated” or “simple ceremony for continuing to do good.” The elements of confession and avowal from the original ceremony remain, but instead of the Prātimokṣa, there is a recommitment to the sixteen Zen precepts, which are received at Jukai and during Shukke Tokudo (home-leaving ordination). We acknowledge our past failings and vow to do better in the future, all while recognizing our frail human nature and casting all into Emptiness. In this way, our atonement is sometimes described as our “at-one-ment.”
Most Zen saṅghas offer a Ryaku Fusatsu ceremony either at the time of the full moon or on a set date, such as the 15th or last day of each month, and we do the same at Treeleaf. We hope you will take this opportunity to recommit to the precepts and to atone for any wrongdoing over the previous month. Even if you choose not to attend every month, please feel free to join whenever you feel called to do so.
The practice of Uposatha spread to other Buddhist countries and, in Japanese Sōtō Zen, evolved into Ryaku Fusatsu, which may be translated as “abbreviated” or “simple ceremony for continuing to do good.” The elements of confession and avowal from the original ceremony remain, but instead of the Prātimokṣa, there is a recommitment to the sixteen Zen precepts, which are received at Jukai and during Shukke Tokudo (home-leaving ordination). We acknowledge our past failings and vow to do better in the future, all while recognizing our frail human nature and casting all into Emptiness. In this way, our atonement is sometimes described as our “at-one-ment.”
Most Zen saṅghas offer a Ryaku Fusatsu ceremony either at the time of the full moon or on a set date, such as the 15th or last day of each month, and we do the same at Treeleaf. We hope you will take this opportunity to recommit to the precepts and to atone for any wrongdoing over the previous month. Even if you choose not to attend every month, please feel free to join whenever you feel called to do so.
Gassho, J
stlah