Membership
We offer in-person precepts during formal Zen ceremonies (that usually coincide with a retreat) as well as special gatherings. For those who are unable to travel, we offer them over the internet via Skype. All categories of precepts are offered at each ceremony. The postulant (a student seeking precepts) should be an active supporting member of their Zen Community and in good standing as an active participant engaged with their respective Guiding Teacher.
Precepts are only offered by a Zen Teacher, or a Bodhisattva Priest if the Teacher designates them as their representative, as they are formal representatives of their respective Dharma lineages. A Zen Priest of three years standing, with the approval of their Guiding Teacher, may give precepts to prisoners following the rules for each precepts category.
It is a traditional Buddhist custom to show gratitude to the teacher leading the precepts ceremony (who may or may not be your guiding teacher) with a small monetary gift. At the time of the ceremony, you may leave a sealed envelope containing the donation on the altar, with the name of the precepts teacher on it (and your own if you would like to). A personal note or card is always welcome along with the gift. (If you wish to make a gift by check, it should be made out to the precepts teacher personally, not to the Zen Center.)
Precepts – Lay Practitioners. A practitioner who decides to dedicate him or herself to Zen does so by taking the five precepts in a ceremony with a Zen Group. The formal student–teacher relationship is reserved for those who are concerned with “the great question of birth and death,” have a genuine spiritual aspiration to come to awakening, are willing to exert themselves in their practice including retreat attendance, and feel a genuine rapport with the Guiding Teacher. Entering into a student–teacher relationship is not necessarily a lifelong commitment, but represents a deep level of commitment to working together spiritually on the part of both the student and the Guiding Teacher.
Five Precepts—Lay Practitioner (Ú Ba Sae, UBS)
1. I vow to abstain from taking life.
2. I vow to abstain from taking things not given.
3. I vow to abstain from misconduct done in lust.
4. I vow to abstain from lying.
5. I vow to abstain from intoxicants, taken to induce heedlessness.
When taking five precepts, the postulant will receive a Buddhist name from their new Guiding Teacher. Taking the five precepts means recognizing the importance of practicing, and making it part of everyday life. It means joining a family of other people who have made the same decision, practicing with them and support. If students live near a Zen Group, they can frequently join others in formal meditation and will find great support practicing within a community of other Zen students. If students live at a distance from the Zen Group, they will find it helpful to come to intensive retreats periodically.
In order to take the five precepts, the postulant must be at least eighteen years of age and have participated in at least four days of retreat time at the Zen Center they are about to join. The new student will need a black kasa, which is an elaborately sewn cloth, representative of Buddha’s robe, which is worn over the robe or lay clothes. See you local Guiding Teacher to arrange the purchase of robes and kasas. If the postulant would like to wear meditation clothing, they may obtain a Hanbok for Lay Practitioners from our supplier before taking five precepts, although this is not a requirement.
Prisoners may take the five precepts after six months of regular practice, as determined by the precepts teacher. The retreat requirement is waived and it is not necessary to have a robe or kasa.
Precepts are only offered by a Zen Teacher, or a Bodhisattva Priest if the Teacher designates them as their representative, as they are formal representatives of their respective Dharma lineages. A Zen Priest of three years standing, with the approval of their Guiding Teacher, may give precepts to prisoners following the rules for each precepts category.
It is a traditional Buddhist custom to show gratitude to the teacher leading the precepts ceremony (who may or may not be your guiding teacher) with a small monetary gift. At the time of the ceremony, you may leave a sealed envelope containing the donation on the altar, with the name of the precepts teacher on it (and your own if you would like to). A personal note or card is always welcome along with the gift. (If you wish to make a gift by check, it should be made out to the precepts teacher personally, not to the Zen Center.)
Precepts – Lay Practitioners. A practitioner who decides to dedicate him or herself to Zen does so by taking the five precepts in a ceremony with a Zen Group. The formal student–teacher relationship is reserved for those who are concerned with “the great question of birth and death,” have a genuine spiritual aspiration to come to awakening, are willing to exert themselves in their practice including retreat attendance, and feel a genuine rapport with the Guiding Teacher. Entering into a student–teacher relationship is not necessarily a lifelong commitment, but represents a deep level of commitment to working together spiritually on the part of both the student and the Guiding Teacher.
Five Precepts—Lay Practitioner (Ú Ba Sae, UBS)
1. I vow to abstain from taking life.
2. I vow to abstain from taking things not given.
3. I vow to abstain from misconduct done in lust.
4. I vow to abstain from lying.
5. I vow to abstain from intoxicants, taken to induce heedlessness.
When taking five precepts, the postulant will receive a Buddhist name from their new Guiding Teacher. Taking the five precepts means recognizing the importance of practicing, and making it part of everyday life. It means joining a family of other people who have made the same decision, practicing with them and support. If students live near a Zen Group, they can frequently join others in formal meditation and will find great support practicing within a community of other Zen students. If students live at a distance from the Zen Group, they will find it helpful to come to intensive retreats periodically.
In order to take the five precepts, the postulant must be at least eighteen years of age and have participated in at least four days of retreat time at the Zen Center they are about to join. The new student will need a black kasa, which is an elaborately sewn cloth, representative of Buddha’s robe, which is worn over the robe or lay clothes. See you local Guiding Teacher to arrange the purchase of robes and kasas. If the postulant would like to wear meditation clothing, they may obtain a Hanbok for Lay Practitioners from our supplier before taking five precepts, although this is not a requirement.
Prisoners may take the five precepts after six months of regular practice, as determined by the precepts teacher. The retreat requirement is waived and it is not necessary to have a robe or kasa.
