Hi,
I see nothing wrong with experienced sitters facilitating (a word I prefer to "
leading") a sitting group informally, and showing the ropes of sitting to newcomers. We have several folks around Treeleaf doing so, and I support such activities however I can if needed. Yes, it is important to stay humble and know one's limits, to be aware when one may need to point someone to others, that one is having influence over the life of others who come there, not to give a wrong impression about what is happening and that one should not feel any ego about it ... but that need to be humble and aware of all that is true even for an Ordained Teacher of 100 years experience.
For a lay person offering a sitting group,
I think Neika and Seimyo describe it well above: "
Mainly I show people how to sit, alternative ways to sit, give a few book or online ideas, and then tell them to find a real teacher. Beyond that, we just sit together" and "
As long as you aren't guiding them along a path, and are simply facilitating their zazen, I don't think it's an issue. I've been organizing a sitting group at work for the better part of a year and short of assisting with the very basics of breathing and sitting, there isn't much to it. You are just offering a great service to those willing to take up the practice. Should your 'sitters' become more curious about Zen, point them to a teacher or a zendo where they can speak with someone that does have the authority to teach another."
By the way, the title of this thread led someone to write me about what exactly is the difference between Jukai and Monk/Priest Ordination.
Jukai ("Undertaking the Precepts", sometimes called "Lay Ordination" or "
Zaike Tokudo" which means "At Home Ordination") is traditionally for lay folks, and does not constitute becoming a monk or priest (known as
Shukke Tokudo, "Homeleaving Ordination"). Even Shukke Tokudo does not constitute one as a full monk/priest, but as simply a "novice" or "trainee" on the first step to what is usually a long process over years to "Dharma Transmission" when one would first really be considered fully Ordained. Of course, these days, Japanese Lineage Priests typically marry and have children, so the line can be a bit fuzzy. However, in my view, the difference is the degree that one is turning to a role of lifetime service and teaching and ministry as the minister and teacher and clergy. That was the subject of my talk just this week ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...IST-CLERGY-%21
Please read a bit more below written by Soto Priest Nonin Chowaney. (As you will see, "
Jukai" and "
Zaike Tokudo" are also traditionally somewhat different, but that distinction is really disappearing in American Zen and the two are now treated as one most places).
We had and will have future Shukke Tokudo. In fact, I will have an announcement in that regard in the coming days.
Also worth mentioning is that the use of the English words "monk" and "priest" (and some other common names thrown about) are even a bit strange to describe the situation of Buddhist clergy in Japan. Here is a recent discussion on that ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...ll=1#post90358
Gassho, J