Lay Ordination

On Saturday, June 9, three members of the Berkeley Zen Center sangha received Lay Ordination (Zaike Tokudo) from Sojun Weitsman Roshi and Hozan Senauke Sensei. This year Dôan Robert Thomas and his student joined in the ceremony.

This ceremony takes place once a year at BZC and is a significant rite of passage for each participant and for the whole sangha. We have the feeling that we are all together witnessing and participating as the ordinees receive Buddha’s precepts. We welcome these ordinees into the lineage of Shakyamuni Buddha and Suzuki Roshi’s family.

Sojun Roshi’s student:
Cheryl Gordon
Tai Dô Myô Shin
Peaceful Way Radiant Heart

Hozan Sensei’s students:
Rhiana Wiggins
Shin Sen Tai Do
Deep River Peaceful Ground

Greg Smith
Un Zan Kô Rei
Cloud Mountain Great Effort

Dôan Robert Thomas’s student:
Cricket Halsey
Gen Shin Yû Dô
Truth Source Gentle Way