Practice Paths

Clear and Open Zen combines transmitted Clear Mind Zen and Open Mind Zen lineages into the following practice path milestones:

Sanbo: Taking Refuge – In the Taking Refuge ceremony, students affirm their commitment to the path of awakening and bodhisattva compassion by taking refuge in Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. In this ceremony, students receive a new Dharma Name.

Jukai: Receiving The Precepts – In this ceremony, students reaffirm their commitment to Buddha, Dharma and Sangha and additionally vow to live life guided by the values encoded in the Bodhisattva precepts. In this ceremony, students receive a rakusu, ceremonial meal bowls and bloodline precept lineage documents in the lineages of both Maezumi Roshi and Matsuoka Roshi.

Unsui: Ordination – In this ceremony, students vow to deepen their practice by turning their attention outward to facilitate the practice and spiritual growth of other people. Service activities of ordained students might include leading sitting groups, working as chaplains or making deeper commitments to participating in Buddhist communities.

Hossenshiki: Dharma Inquiry Ceremony – A practitioner can be a “head student” during a practice period. It culminates with a Dharma Inquiry Ceremony (aka “Dharma Combat Ceremony”) where the head student interacts with practitioners in a question and answer format. At the conclusion of the ceremony the student becomes a recognized Practice Leader in the community.

Hoshi: Assistant Zen Teacher Authorization – In this ceremony, students are empowered to engage in direct teaching actives with students. This may include offering dharma talks, officiating Refuge and Precept ceremonies and meeting one on one with students. Some assistant Zen teachers may be further authorized to offer koan training if they have specialized in this practice.

Shiho: Dharma Transmission – In this ceremony, the student is initiated into the ancient Zen lineage of fully authorized teachers. With this transmission they are empowered as independent teachers who can offer ordination and transmission to their own students.