Hi Shoren, I am curious about your being a participant and receiving Jukai from Akiba Roshi. I thought that as a teacher, you would be sort of done with that, and would be helping as a preceptor in some capacity (which perhaps you did as well?). Thanks, as always, for your personal sharing- I love all your dharma names!
Hi Conne, forgive my delayed response. I've been playing catch up since returning from LA. My understanding is that a practitioner, lay or priest, can receive the precepts many times. There were quite a few transmitted priests who received jukai with me. Given that this was a Sotoshu jukai, the preceptor was Akiba Roshi with assistance from two other transmitted American teachers who've been around for decades. No other transmitted teachers, and there was about 30 present, except for them were involved as preceptors. The other brown robes were part of the ceremonies and services but not preceptors nor did they receive the precepts. I hope this is clarifying. Bows!
Hi Otomo, I apologize for my delayed response. The only information on the Jukai-e that I know of is in the booklet the Zenshuji temple/Soto Shu handed out. I don't know much more than what I put in the Zen in Ten post. Sorry!
Ok, thank you for letting me know. It does seem to just be a thing at that particular temple. I asked one of my contacts with the Soto-shu in Japan and they never heard of it. Do you think SFZC will pursue something similar as to the Jukai-e?
As far as I know, this was just a one-time celebration marking the 100th anniversary of Soto Zen in North America, which Zenshuji being the first Soto Zen mission. I haven't heard of any corresponding celebrations occurring at SFZC. I did hear, however, that there might be another centennial celebration at Zenshuji next spring. That's all the details I know.
Allowing marriage for Buddhist priests in all Japanese sects was originally a political measure by the government of the time, intended to actually dilute the power of some Buddhist sects in Japan. Also though, the Precepts in most Buddhist traditions in Japan at least don't require celibacy, so there is no conflict between being ordained as a priest and being non celibate/married. So yes is the brief answer to your question, with some historical background thrown in as context.
The Meiji Restoration in 1868 effectively ended Buddhism in Japan, as well as disbanded the Samurai. Temple holders where instructed to marry, produce an heir, eat meat, and wear normal clothing.
Nov 23, 2022·edited Nov 23, 2022Liked by Rev. Shoren Heather
The Meiji restoration didn't end Buddhism in Japan, which is still very much there. And while marrying and eating meat were permitted, priests were not made to marry. It was still a matter of personal choice. Nor were monks not allowed to wear their robes.
This is why the readers should google "Meiji restoration" and read for themselves the many academic and scholarly articles about this very turbulent political times in Japanese history, and the impacts on Japanese Zen.
Hi Adin, my understanding, which is limited of course, is that Soto Zen monks in Japan were encouraged to marry at some point in the 1800s. As then the custom evolved that the eldest son would train at a monastery, ordain as a priest, inherit the temple, and get married. The only Zen lineage I know of that asks priest/monks to take a vow of celibacy is the Rinzai Master Shodo Harada. Harada Roshi mentioned this at a sesshin that I was participating in a while back.
I make a distinction between priests and monks. I would NOT consider anyone a real monastic who was not celibate. And of course, there are levels of celibacy. Theravada monks and nuns take a lifetime vow of celibacy. Some Zen practitioners like myself, might have been abstinent while in a monastery, but did not take a vow of celibacy. There's a subtle distinction between abstinent and celibate, with the latter meaning abstaining from sex for religious reasons. Bows!
Hi Shoren, I am curious about your being a participant and receiving Jukai from Akiba Roshi. I thought that as a teacher, you would be sort of done with that, and would be helping as a preceptor in some capacity (which perhaps you did as well?). Thanks, as always, for your personal sharing- I love all your dharma names!
Hi Conne, forgive my delayed response. I've been playing catch up since returning from LA. My understanding is that a practitioner, lay or priest, can receive the precepts many times. There were quite a few transmitted priests who received jukai with me. Given that this was a Sotoshu jukai, the preceptor was Akiba Roshi with assistance from two other transmitted American teachers who've been around for decades. No other transmitted teachers, and there was about 30 present, except for them were involved as preceptors. The other brown robes were part of the ceremonies and services but not preceptors nor did they receive the precepts. I hope this is clarifying. Bows!
Thank you, Heather- very clarifying!
Can you send me more information in this "Zen-kai". I never heard of it, and cannot find any references to it.
Hi Otomo, I apologize for my delayed response. The only information on the Jukai-e that I know of is in the booklet the Zenshuji temple/Soto Shu handed out. I don't know much more than what I put in the Zen in Ten post. Sorry!
Ok, thank you for letting me know. It does seem to just be a thing at that particular temple. I asked one of my contacts with the Soto-shu in Japan and they never heard of it. Do you think SFZC will pursue something similar as to the Jukai-e?
As far as I know, this was just a one-time celebration marking the 100th anniversary of Soto Zen in North America, which Zenshuji being the first Soto Zen mission. I haven't heard of any corresponding celebrations occurring at SFZC. I did hear, however, that there might be another centennial celebration at Zenshuji next spring. That's all the details I know.
Allowing marriage for Buddhist priests in all Japanese sects was originally a political measure by the government of the time, intended to actually dilute the power of some Buddhist sects in Japan. Also though, the Precepts in most Buddhist traditions in Japan at least don't require celibacy, so there is no conflict between being ordained as a priest and being non celibate/married. So yes is the brief answer to your question, with some historical background thrown in as context.
The Meiji Restoration in 1868 effectively ended Buddhism in Japan, as well as disbanded the Samurai. Temple holders where instructed to marry, produce an heir, eat meat, and wear normal clothing.
The Meiji restoration didn't end Buddhism in Japan, which is still very much there. And while marrying and eating meat were permitted, priests were not made to marry. It was still a matter of personal choice. Nor were monks not allowed to wear their robes.
Hello there! Thanks for your comments. I am spending holi-daze with my family and will respond soon. 🙏
And, rightly so. Well done Kijo Sensei.
This is why the readers should google "Meiji restoration" and read for themselves the many academic and scholarly articles about this very turbulent political times in Japanese history, and the impacts on Japanese Zen.
SInce Zen monastics don't take the Vinaya Precepts, is that why it's OK for them to marry?
Hi Adin, my understanding, which is limited of course, is that Soto Zen monks in Japan were encouraged to marry at some point in the 1800s. As then the custom evolved that the eldest son would train at a monastery, ordain as a priest, inherit the temple, and get married. The only Zen lineage I know of that asks priest/monks to take a vow of celibacy is the Rinzai Master Shodo Harada. Harada Roshi mentioned this at a sesshin that I was participating in a while back.
I make a distinction between priests and monks. I would NOT consider anyone a real monastic who was not celibate. And of course, there are levels of celibacy. Theravada monks and nuns take a lifetime vow of celibacy. Some Zen practitioners like myself, might have been abstinent while in a monastery, but did not take a vow of celibacy. There's a subtle distinction between abstinent and celibate, with the latter meaning abstaining from sex for religious reasons. Bows!