Today, four of our sangha members, Greg York, Kellett Koch, Helen Norris and Devin Drobka, will be ordained as lay Soto Zen practitioners. For several months, they have been diligently sewing their rakusu, the mini version of the okesa (Buddha’s robe), and studied the Soto Zen Bodhisattva precepts.

The ceremony - Zaike Tokudo, Ceremony of Staying Home and Attaining Liberation - is very similar to the priest ordination, only there you would be leaving home (at least for some years), and they have chosen to do the hard work of staying in the world.

The event will take place at 11:30 am on Sunday, November 19, 2023, and family, friends and sangha members are warmly invited to attend, either in the zendo or on zoom (349 905 3117, password 2825).
Our regular Sunday morning practice will happen as usual, and there will be a short Sunday talk. Afterwards you may enjoy a cup of tea in the meeting room while the ceremony is being set up.

The conclusion of the ceremony is a celebratory reception, which everybody is invited to stay for.
Please consider making a food donation for this joyous event!