Taking the Precepts on May 11, 2024

Matt Hass, Anne Fine, me, Alan Richardson, Rich Stretifeld and Ty Burr
photo by Corwyn Miyagishima

I'm still enjoying the glow of our recent precepts ceremony (jukai) last Saturday. We were able to celebrate at the Temple in person, and also on Zoom. Dharma Holder Michael Herzog was away in Florida celebrating Mother's Day with his mom, and David Roshi was recovering from a cold, so they both joined us in the zoom zendo. Along with the 40 folks in person, we had another 40 online, including a number of surprise guests, invited by some of the initiates: my own teacher James Ford Roshi, his wife and longtime practitioner Jan Seymour Ford, my dharma heir Bob Waldinger Roshi, and my old dharma friend Mu Soeng. They all shared some inspiring words, and then Dharma Holder Alan Richardson and I conducted the ceremony in person.

One of the features of our precepts ceremonies in Boundless Way Zen Temple is that we ask all the initiates to share their own reflections on each of the sixteen bodhisattva precepts. All four of the initiates, pictured here with Alan and me, demonstrated their insight into these guidelines for ethical behavior with depth and wit. We literally laughed and cried. And were inspired.

We also had the help of three of our Boundless Way Priests: Rev. Corwyn Miyagishima, who prepared the Temple for the ceremony, assisted by Rev. Paul Galvin and Rev. Ray Demers. And on Zoom, Assistant Teacher Jenny Smith provided technical support. I'm so grateful to all of them for fulfilling their own bodhisattva vows in this tangible way.

Below are the names of the initiates, along with their names in Japanese romanization, kanji and the English translation. Congratulations to all!

Ty Burr (Kanmu): 寛夢 Generous Vision

Rich Streitfeld (Kо̄ji): 荒慈 Wild Compassion

Anne Fine (Jingyо̄): 仁行 Benevolent Action

Matt Haas (Seikon): 誠魂 Sincere Spirit