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Jukai Lay Ordination Ceremony January 5, 2002
After
months of preparation sewing the rakusu (the ceremonial monk's robe traditionally
worn by Zen people), four Mountain Source Sangha members were lay ordained by
Zen Priest, Taigen Dan Leighton. The "Ceremony of Staying Home and Attaining the
Way" is a formal step in Buddhist practice that signifies one is "taking refuge"
in the Three Jewels: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. It is an expression of intention
to practice the Bodhisattva Vows.
Sangha members interested in the rakusu
robe sewing work closely with their teacher, Taigen, and a sewing teacher in the
Soto Zen lineage. Various sewing teachers from the San Francisco Zen Center (including
Blanche Hartman, John Renworth, Stuart Travis, and Vicki Austin) guided the students
through the robe sewing steps. The rakusu robe sewing 
usually
takes three to six months, depending on the student's situation. The idea is not
to complete the robe sewing within a certain amount of time, but rather experience
the robe sewing as a process in deepening one's practice. Throughout the sewing,
the chant, "I take refuge in Buddha" is recited with each stitch, creating a patchwork
of fabric pieces often likened to a rice paddy in the finished product.
The culmination of the rakusu sewing was the actual ceremony held on January 5,
2002. Following an abbreviated 1-day sitting schedule, Sangha members set up the
hall (zendo) for the ceremony and guest seating at St. James Church in San Francisco.
A low, square table with candles, flowers, incense, and wisdom water was positioned
at the head of the room. Four zabutons and zafus were placed in a row facing the
table; Taigen's seat behind the table was facing outwards towards the Ordainees.
At 3:00 PM the ceremony commenced with the Preceptor Procession into the
zendo accompanied by the striking of the inkin bell. Ordainees then offered incense,
bows and chanted the names of 
Buddha.
As a traditional symbol of cutting attachments, Taigen, assisted by Jisha Liz
Toumi, cut off a piece of hair from each Ordainee's head. At the prescribed time
in the ceremony, each student was presented a Soto Lineage Paper, their individual
Serene Name Card and their blessed rakusu. After putting on their rakusus, Ordainees
again offered incense and took the Bodhisattva Precepts. Taigen spoke closing
words for the newly ordained and a recessional out of the zendo ended the formal
ceremony.
Buddhist names given by the teacher to each student often reflect qualities of the person, present and future, providing a personal koan for each student.
The
Buddhist names of the Ordainees are:
In
the spirit of Sangha, a reception and photo session of teacher, students, and
guests ended this memorable event, the first Jukai Ceremony of the Mountain Source
Sangha.
Written by Val Szymanski, Mountain Source Sangha Vice President
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