Joy of Jukai

This past weekend I attended another Sesshin (meditation retreat) before my Jukai (Lay Ordination).  It was nice to see friends and of course meet new ones.  One of the highlights was the new practice at the monastery of traditional Oryoki meal serving in the Sodo (meditation hall).  We have always had Oryoki meals there before, but in the dining hall instead.  Sorry I don't have a picture, but it was pretty much exactly like this:

I was chosen to be a server for two of the meals which was a unique and cool experience as well.  I fell somewhat ill, so I was unable to sit in every single sitting, but I was able to get my "fill."

The highlight of the weekend, of course, was the Jukai Ceremony.

Setup before Ceremony

 I had been looking forward to this and taking the precepts pretty much all summer.  It was strange going in the procession I felt almost "naked" in a sense.

I was surprised how many people were there.  We had quite a handful there for Sesshin, but more and more people kept pouring in.  After taking the vows though, I felt a definite renewal of practice and purpose.  It was truly something I'll never forget.  The following pictures (and captions) may better describe what ensued. :

Formally asking for Ordination

Incense offering at one of the altars

Initial prostrations

Chanting the Heart Sutra

Receiving the Rakusu

Prostrations after The Vows

Bestowal of Lineage Papers

Shoken (the abbot) with Ordainees

Taking Refuge

The word "refuge" may be easily misunderstood in the context of Buddhism.  The dictionary definition of "refuge" is usually as follows:
1. shelter or protection from danger, trouble, etc.: to take refuge from a storm.
2. a place of shelter, protection, or safety.
3. anything to which one has recourse for aid, relief, or escape.
(from Dictionary.com) 

The term "refuge" in Buddhism is shorthand actually takes on a different meaning.  We are not looking to run away, hide, find immediate relief when we speak "I take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha."

What we really mean is: "I am one with the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha."  Now, the term "one" can have a double meaning as well.  If we are ONE with the Triple Treasure, we do have protection within our mind, body, and spirit.  But taking refuge should not be seen, implied, or even imagined as an escape from reality or an immediate alleviation.

When we truly practice and have a deep faith within Buddhism, we are a part of the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.  We live it in our daily lives, instilling it into our bones and marrow.  We cannot be separated from it and it cannot be separated from us.

So remember the next time you recite the verse of the Triple Treasure, Triple Gem, (etc.), you are not escaping into them, your are affirming that you are one with them.  This will bring much more strength and meaning into the recitation alone.

Gassho.

Ego-patrio-tism

I wasn't sure if I should post this on the 10th anniversary of the "9/ll attacks" or for Columbus Day.  So  I chose Columbus day.
If it weren't for ego, many things in history, including many atrocities wouldn't have happened.  Radical religious practitioners are no different.  Crusaders, Jihad, Conquistadors, they are all based on an attitude that of ego, that their religion is best.  And it always ends up in unnecessary deaths and disposal of innocent lives.
With that in mind, for Columbus Day, I leave you with this video.  But consider it has not only been Columbus and his time, but so many other "leaders" who have killed and harmed many innocent people in the sake of ego.

Code of Fighters and the Peaceful

The Shaolin Code is an ancient code of ethics taught to all Shaolin monks.  This code is great for a marital artist, but also great for a Buddhist.  With a little tweak of the words, it perfectly matches what every Buddhist should live by.  I'll give the original translation, then the "tweaked" version so you can see the connection for yourself.
Original:
Remain disciplined: uphold yourself ethically as a martial artist.
Courtesy and righteousness: serve the community and honor your family.
Respect your fellow students: be united and avoid conflicts.
Curb your desires and pursuit of bodily desires: preserve your proper spirit.
Train diligently and make it a habit: maintain your skills
Strive to develop spiritual tranquility: abstain from arguments and fights.
Coordinate in society: be conservative, cultured and gentle in your manners. 
Protect the weak and very young: use your martial skill for the good of humanity
Maintain the tradition: preserve this Chinese art and its Rules of Conducts. 

Now with a little adaptation to this code, here's how I believe it connects to Buddhism with only a little switch of the terms.
"Buddhist Version":
Remain disciplined: uphold yourself ethically as a Buddhist. (uphold the precepts)
Courtesy and Righteousness: Serve the community (Sangha and all beings) and honor your family (teachers/lineage)   
Respect your fellow students: be united and avoid conflicts (not much else needs to be changed here- learn from each other and keep an open mind)
Curb your desires and pursuit of bodily pleasures: preserve your proper spirit (again, not much needs changing here- keep the precepts and preserve your path of the Way)
Train diligently and make it a habit: maintain your skills (Continue your practice and meditation regularly, make it a part of you)
Strive to develop spiritual tranquility: abstain from arguments and fights. (Keep a tranquil mind and practice compassion)
Coordinate in society: be conservative, cultured and gentle in your manners. (Compassion again plays a major role here, also, teach people on their various levels)
Protect the weak and very young: use your martial skill for the good of humanity  (The practice is Buddhism is for all beings, we don't only practice for ourselves)
Maintain the tradition: preserve this Chinese art and its Rules of Conducts. (Teach those who do not know the Way and uphold its precepts diligently)

Gassho

Alone in the World

One of the biggest difficulties I find while practicing is the dis-attachment from self.  I've always had a little problem with social anxiety. Even now as an (ever-aging) adult, the task of letting go of self is sometimes difficult.

I live my life as I choose, but perhaps it is "western-conditioning" that I still feel self-conscious about what I may wear or how I behave.

Dogen states that people will scoff and make fun of those who practice the Way of the Buddhas and Patriarchs for what they wear and what they do, but hold fast to the teachings of the Way, for those who make fun of you and scoff at your actions are the furthest from awakening.

Being in the west, many Buddhist customs such as dress and begging are not exactly accepted.  This is different from eastern cultures where this has been a part of society for at least 2,000 years. But the statement from Dogen even holds true until today in eastern cultures.  Many monks beg for alms in China, Japan, and others as the Buddha instructed during his time on earth.

So the only solution to this, I guess, is to ultimately let go of ego and self.  Dogen states that continuously that the benefits of studying and practicing the Way of the Buddhas and Patriarchs far out-weighs the benefits of conforming to the emotions and judgments of worldly people.