Deep bows & congratulations to those who received the precepts at the Bodhisattva Lay Initiation Ceremony (Zaike Tokudo, often called Jukai) held on December 11th at AZC. Rev. Doshin Mako Voelkel’s transmission of the precepts went to 3 sangha members – Dave Pietruszynski, Alan Sisco, and Jess Engle.

This ceremony marks the occasion in which the Zen initiate openly receives and acknowledges the sixteen Bodhisattava precepts as an ongoing path of practice in their lives, receives Buddha’s robe (the rakusu they have sewn), as well as new (Dharma) name. Due to Covid this ceremony took place outdoors in the side yard of AZC, and over zoom.

The ordainees’ new names are:

• Dave P: Kyuen Myōji (Investigate Relations/Conditions, Wondrous Compassion)
• Alan S: Shōgen Jūdō (Radiant Source, Gentle/Kindly Way)
• Jess E: Seigetsu Sōshin (Sincere Moon, Ancestor Heart)

Read more about the devotional practice of sewing Buddha’s robe, from Jean Selkirk of the Berkeley Zen Center.