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Thread: Shinkai 'Allison' Retiring From Novice Priest Training

  1. #1

    Shinkai 'Allison' Retiring From Novice Priest Training

    Dear Sangha Community,

    After a period of mutual discussion and reflection between us, and discussion together with the other Priests and Priest-Novices at Treeleaf, Allison Baxter (formerly "Shinkai") has decided to step away from Priest Training, return her Robes and Bowls, and re-enter an exclusively Lay Practice as the "Al" we have known for years in this Sangha. We thank Al for this heartfelt decision. The time, energy and Calling necessary for Priest Training turned out to be too much in life now. She has explained that she could not sustain the commitment of time and energy required while being overwhelmed with the rest of her life.

    Ordination is a Lifetime Vow and Commitment, even in a Sangha such as ours meant for working and family people. But sometimes even a lifetime Vow cannot be sustained (marriage is perhaps the closest worldly example). It happens. It happens in perhaps all Sangha during and since the Buddha's time. Peoples' hearts change or things are not as first thought. Sometimes it is best for the commitment to end, and for things to return to as they were before.


    Our "Treeleaf Sangha Guidelines for Training Soto Zen Buddhist Clergy" state ...

    The purpose of priest training is to prepare individuals for a life dedicated to exemplifying the Dharma with integrity via empowering them to extend Buddhist teachings and Soto Zen practice out in the world, all in keeping with the traditional teachings of Soto Zen Buddhism and the philosophy of our Lineage.

    Priest training encourages the continuing unfolding of the Bodhisattva ideal characterized by the Six Paramitas of giving, ethical conduct, patience, energy, meditation, and wisdom. Yet the heart and flowering of our way is always Shikantaza, sitting and moving in stillness without grasping or rejecting any of the constantly arising and changing phenomena of life as-they-are, the life practice of the Buddhas and Ancestors manifesting and realizing the Genjô-kôan, the fundamental point actualized through this life-practice.

    ...

    In our Lineage and Sangha, as in most Soto Zen lineages in the West, priest training – the development and maturing of skills and attributes over time – begins before Novice Ordination (shukke tokudo). This training begins with lay practice without thought then being given to any goal of future ordination. However, if at a certain time after years of lay practice, a person manifests the character, calling, insight and sensitivity in Zen Practice to indicate a potential to serve as a vessel for the continuance and furthering of our traditions, then teacher and student may begin to discuss the possibility of Novice Ordination. However, in all cases, the decision to undertake Novice Ordination must be voluntary on the part of the student, and made only after deep consideration is paid to its meaning, burdens, methods and other ramifications upon heartfelt discussions between student and teacher. ...

    The period of formation that follows upon novice ordination (shukke tokudo) may continue for any number of years prior to possible (although never inevitable) Dharma Transmission, but truly continues as a lifelong endeavor that will sustain individuals dedicated to exemplifying the Dharma and the Bodhisattva ideal. Completing formal priest training will mean that an individual has internalized the tradition, is capable of transmitting it, and vows to devote her or himself to a life of continuous practice and service.

    Of course, undertaking Novice Ordination and walking the path of training is in no way meant to guaranty that eventual Dharma Transmission is assured or even likely. Although training is undertaken with the goal that the student eventually be qualified as a teacher and minister, and he or she first appears to carry the seeds for that eventual ripening, there is no sure promise as to where this path will lead, and when or if there will be any particular outcome from one’s efforts. We practice and train without goal or expectation. Novice priest ordination may result in Dharma Transmission, empowering the fully ordained priest to extend Buddhist teachings and Soto Zen practice in the West. However, priest training does not always conclude with Dharma Transmission. For any number of reasons, novices may transition back to an exclusively lay life, leaving training altogether.



    This is such a case of returning to an exclusively lay life, leaving training. However, please think of it as just another life transition too, and a time for CELEBRATION! Although she will no longer be "Shinkai" around here, and will go again by the lovely name of "Al" ... that is the name we knew her by for years, and she remains our friend and an invaluable member of this Sangha as she has for years. Taigu and I, Shohei, Fugen and Mongen, Myozan and Dosho would all like to thank her for being who she is.

    Gassho, Jundo
    Last edited by Jundo; 07-25-2012 at 07:38 AM.
    ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE

  2. #2
    All good wishes to Al - it is a sign of strength to intuitively respond to how we are placed at any given time in our lives.
    Making a wise decision is always a time for celebration.

    Gassho

    Willow

  3. #3
    Best wishes to Al and thank you for your honesty.
    Gassho,
    Andy

  4. #4
    All the best to Al!

    Thank you for letting us know, Jundo.

    Gassho,

    Kyonin
    Hondō Kyōnin
    奔道 協忍

  5. #5
    The decision to disrobe can be a painful one, but you have to follow your gut. Peace and Healing for Al and Treeleaf Sangha.


    Gassho.

  6. #6
    Best regards Al, I hope you continue blogging
    合掌,生開
    gassho, Shokai

    仁道 生開 / Jindo Shokai

    "Open to life in a benevolent way"

    https://sarushinzendo.wordpress.com/

  7. #7
    Thank you Al for being part of this sangha. You taught me a great deal and I received much inspiration from your gathas and other teachings.

    Daido

  8. #8
    Mp
    Guest
    Thank you Al for being you, that is the most important thing.

    Also, thank you Jundo for letting us know.

    Gassho
    Michael

  9. #9
    You will always have our support no matter which path you choose to walk here Al!!

    Gassho,
    Hoyu
    Ho (Dharma)
    Yu (Hot Water)

  10. #10
    Yugen
    Guest
    You will always have our support no matter which path you choose to walk here Al!!

    What he said! (Thanks Hoyu)

    Gassho
    Yugen

  11. #11
    Quote Originally Posted by Jundo View Post
    ...Taigu and I, Shohei, Fugen and Mongen, Myozan and Dosho would all like to thank her for being who she is.
    Nothing to add, thank you Al,
    Gassho
    Myoku

  12. #12
    All the best, Al!
    Gassho, Kaishin
    Thanks,
    Kaishin (開心, Open Heart)
    Please take this layman's words with a grain of salt.

  13. #13
    It's good that Al is being honest with herself and the reality of her situation right now. She still teaches everyone even though she is not a priest-in-training. In fact, I feel everyone here at Treeleaf are my teachers.

    Gassho,
    Ekai

  14. #14
    She still teaches everyone even though she is not a priest-in-training.
    I agree so much with this and what has been said here. It is wonderful to just have you present at Treeleaf Al.

    Gassho,
    Kelly/Jinmei

  15. #15
    Treeleaf Engineer Seimyo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Yuba City, California, USA
    Thank you Al.

    Gassho.
    Chris

  16. #16
    Thanks for your practice, Al!!

    It is so easy for me to feel overcommitted, overwhelmed, etc, so I'm totally sympathetic with having to sometimes pull back from things just to remain sane. Superman and Superwoman are fictional characters, after all. I've had the wish to take that step myself, but in the light of day, with my work to-do list and my kids staring at me wanting more time, I know that it is not in the cards for me right now. It makes me all the more grateful to the Leafers who have made that commitment and all the sacrifice it entails for the benefit of us all.

    _/\_

    Eika


    Sent from tapatalk
    [size=150:m8cet5u6]??[/size:m8cet5u6] We are involved in a life that passes understanding and our highest business is our daily life---John Cage

  17. #17

  18. #18
    Al,

    Good for you for trying, and good for you for making a decision that you need to make for yourself, now and anytime.

    You are still our teacher.

    I didn't even make it through Jukai last year! I became overwhelmed even by that, because of what was going on with me. Here's hoping I make it this coming year, and that you get back to the training if and when you think that's the right thing for you, and if it isn't, may the path you do take be fulfilling for you.

    Gassho
    Julia
    "The Girl Dragon Demon", the random Buddhist name generator calls me....you have been warned.

    Feed your good wolf.

  19. #19
    I hope you will still write inspiring Gathas Al.
    Heisoku 平 息
    Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home. (Basho)

  20. #20
    Al i think that your decision shows just how committed you are to the path of Buddhism.
    to be able to truly see what you are capable of and what you can not do is to really know yourself.
    for that i congratulate you.

    Gassho, Dojin.
    Last edited by Jundo; 08-05-2012 at 03:29 AM.
    I gained nothing at all from supreme enlightenment, and for that very reason it is called supreme enlightenment
    - the Buddha

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