Rev. David Ryudo Shunyo Caruso joins the sangha of Boundless Way Zen priests

On Sunday, March 26, I welcomed Rev. David Ryudo Shunyo Caruso into the sangha of Boundless Way Zen priests, in a ceremony called a "Rite of Reception."  David was ordained by his first teacher, Kobun Chino, Roshi, 42 years ago.  When he asked me to be his teacher, the Guiding Teachers of Boundless Way came up with the idea of receiving him into our priest sangha through this formal ceremony, which resembles an ordination ceremony, but eliminates some elements (like head-shaving) and includes others (like taking the precepts and re-receiving his priestly garments, which had belonged to Kobun's father.)  In this photo, taken by David's daughter Lily, are some of the people who participated in this welcoming rite:  David Dae An Rynick, Roshi, Rev. Paul Galvin, me, Rev. Michael Fieleke, Rev. Ray Demers, and Rev. Aaron Caruso, David Caruso's son.  The ceremony was attended by members of the Boundless Way Zen Sangha, David Caruso's wife, another son, and Lily.