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Information for potential novices
We sometimes receive inquiries from practitioners inside and outside of the sangha who are interested in learning how they can ordain as novices and complete the credentialling process toward recognition by the Soto Zen denomination (Sotoshu) as fully recognized and authorized clergy. Thus we're providing general information here about that process in an effort to help with that early discernment. There are several things potential novices should understand from the outset:
We start with these points not to discourage you from considering taking this kind of leadership, but because it would be unkind to you not to be clear about the scope of what you would be undertaking. It happens regularly in North America that novices find themselves in the midst of their training somewhere and only then discover that they are in fact not on a trajectory toward denominational recognition because they did not understand Sotoshu's process and are unable to meet its requirements. You cannot "join" Sotoshu whenever you wish like you might join a professional association or a peer support group. You (and your preceptor) must meet its requirements from the day of your ordination in order to be recognized. Thus clear discernment and thoughtful planning are necessary from the beginning.
Ordination (shukke tokudo 出家得道) is not simply a matter of becoming personally attached to a revered teacher. If you think you want to ordain as a novice at Sanshin, you will need to spend years first establishing a zazen practice, sitting sesshin and retreats, getting to know our style of practice, becoming familiar with the sangha and letting the sangha become familiar and comfortable with you. Discernment is a long and gradual process to be undertaken with patience; ordination does not serve as a quick fix for current suffering. Becoming clergy is a lifelong commitment which has nothing to do with your own need to be recognized or rewarded. One ordains to serve all beings, setting aside the craving and aversion of the small self and carrying the Buddha’s teachings quietly into the world. Since one can do much of this work as a sincere layperson, discernment about the motivation for becoming a novice is critical. What will you be able to do as a member of the clergy that you can't do now as a layperson? What skills, interests and experiences from your own karmic circumstances will you be drawing on? In what kind of situation do you envision yourself leading practice and sharing the dharma? Where do you think your skill gaps are, and how might you fill them in order to become a competent Zen teacher?
If you're one of those trainees mentioned above who now wants to make a pivot in order to put yourself on the path to Sotoshu recognition by reordaining at Sanshin, that may be possible with the consent of your current teacher. You will still need to complete all of the steps outlined below, though sewing a new okesa may not be necessary if your existing one aligns with our style.
- The process takes many years.
- It is not inexpensive.
- You will be living in Japan for 6 months to a year, and returning at least once to finalize your dharma transmission.
- In general, the process is not negotiable. Most of it is set by Sotoshu, not by Sanshin.
We start with these points not to discourage you from considering taking this kind of leadership, but because it would be unkind to you not to be clear about the scope of what you would be undertaking. It happens regularly in North America that novices find themselves in the midst of their training somewhere and only then discover that they are in fact not on a trajectory toward denominational recognition because they did not understand Sotoshu's process and are unable to meet its requirements. You cannot "join" Sotoshu whenever you wish like you might join a professional association or a peer support group. You (and your preceptor) must meet its requirements from the day of your ordination in order to be recognized. Thus clear discernment and thoughtful planning are necessary from the beginning.
Ordination (shukke tokudo 出家得道) is not simply a matter of becoming personally attached to a revered teacher. If you think you want to ordain as a novice at Sanshin, you will need to spend years first establishing a zazen practice, sitting sesshin and retreats, getting to know our style of practice, becoming familiar with the sangha and letting the sangha become familiar and comfortable with you. Discernment is a long and gradual process to be undertaken with patience; ordination does not serve as a quick fix for current suffering. Becoming clergy is a lifelong commitment which has nothing to do with your own need to be recognized or rewarded. One ordains to serve all beings, setting aside the craving and aversion of the small self and carrying the Buddha’s teachings quietly into the world. Since one can do much of this work as a sincere layperson, discernment about the motivation for becoming a novice is critical. What will you be able to do as a member of the clergy that you can't do now as a layperson? What skills, interests and experiences from your own karmic circumstances will you be drawing on? In what kind of situation do you envision yourself leading practice and sharing the dharma? Where do you think your skill gaps are, and how might you fill them in order to become a competent Zen teacher?
If you're one of those trainees mentioned above who now wants to make a pivot in order to put yourself on the path to Sotoshu recognition by reordaining at Sanshin, that may be possible with the consent of your current teacher. You will still need to complete all of the steps outlined below, though sewing a new okesa may not be necessary if your existing one aligns with our style.
At a glance:
Steps to becoming a novice at Sanshin
Establishment
Discernment
Preparation
Ceremony
- Establish a regular zazen practice and engage regularly in work, study and ritual with an in-person sangha
- Receive lay precepts
Discernment
- Complete ten retreats or sesshin at Sanshin
- Have a face-to-face meeting with the preceptor
- Engage in personal reflection about aspirations for dharma leadership and requirements for authorization
- Establish agreement with the preceptor about willingness to proceed
Preparation
- Work with a teacher of dharma sewing to complete a seven-row black okesa, rakusu, cases and zagu, or acquire these items in some other way acceptable to the preceptor
- Begin to acquire the remaining necessary items of clothing and the 5-bowl oryoki set
- Continue to engage regularly and sincerely in zazen, work, study and ritual
- Take on positions of appropriate responsibility as assigned by practice leaders
- Make plans for participating in and completing additional training necessary for the carrying out of your personal vow(s) as well as Sotoshu authorization
Ceremony
- When sewing is nearly completed, determine a ceremony date with the preceptor
- Ensure that all necessary clothing and oryoki items are in hand
- Give completed okesa, rakusu and cases to the preceptor in plenty of time for him or her to complete inscriptions
- Complete copying of lineage papers and give to the preceptor in plenty of time for him or her to complete inscriptions
- Practice putting on, taking off and wearing all robes as well as unfolding and bowing with the zagu
- Attend ceremony rehearsal(s) and the ceremony itself
- Complete and return Sotoshu paperwork to register the ordination as requested
After ordination
- Remain in regular contact with the preceptor as he or she requests
- When appropriate, take on the role of shuso and complete honsoku gyocha and hossenshiki
- When appropriate, complete 6 months to one year of residential practice in a Sotoshu-authorized training temple in Japan
- At the preceptor’s request (typically after at least 5 years as a novice), begin preparations for dharma transmission, including sewing two brown okesa, a brown rakusu, cases and zagu, as well as copying all transmission documents
- At the preceptor’s discretion, complete the seven days of dharma transmission ceremonies at Sanshin
- When appropriate, make plans to complete zuise ceremonies at Eihei-ji and Soji-ji
- Complete and return all Sotoshu paperwork related to changes of status
Cost considerations
The reality is that ordination and training to meet Sotoshu requirements is not inexpensive. You may wish to do some budget planning to avoid later surprises for yourself and your family. Below are the basics, with approximate costs as of 2024. Some costs will depend on the distance you must travel, the size and material of your robes, and other variables. You may be able to save money by acquiring second-hand items, borrowing them, or making items yourself, but be very sure they conform to requirements. You will not need to make all of these expenditures at once; they are listed here in the rough order in which you will need them over the course of five to ten years.
- Travel and fees for ten sesshin or retreats at Sanshin
- Black cotton fabric for okesa, rakusu, zagu, cases and kohonbukusa ($25 - $50)
- Regular travel to Sanshin for sewing instruction
- Koromo and shukin ($350 - $700)
- White and colored kimono with obi ($200 - $400)
- Juban ($45 - $65) and bessu ($40) [it’s helpful to have a couple of each]
- Five-bowl oryoki with mizuita, hattan, utensils and linens ($500)
- Travel to Sanshin for shukke tokudo
- Sotoshu fees to register shukke tokudo ($70)
- Travel to Japan for six months to one year of senmon sodo training (with necessary leave of absence from work)
- Samu-e ($130 - $300)
- Takuhatsu accessories
- Travel to Sanshin for shuso hossen
- Sotoshu fees to register shuso hossen ($70)
- Brown fabric for two okesa, rakusu, zagu and cases ($50 - 75)
- Costs for Sotoshu materials for copying three transmission documents ($200)
- Travel to Sanshin for dharma transmission
- Sotoshu fees to register dharma transmission ($70)
- Travel to Japan for zuise at Eiheiji and Sojiji
- Sotoshu fees to register zuise ($70)
If you are interested in undertaking this process, you may begin by attending sesshin regularly at Sanshin until you've completed ten. (No matter how many sesshin or retreats you've done elsewhere, you must do ten here in order to begin to understand our particular style of sesshin, which is at the core of our practice vision.) That element alone will take several years, and during that time you can establish connections with the sangha, become known here as a practitioner, and determine whether our style of practice is meaningful for you and is what you want to carry into the world as a dharma teacher. When you've completed these sesshin, you can ask to speak with a transmitted teacher here at Sanshin about next steps toward ordination. Note that completion of the sesshin requirement alone does not guarantee that a teacher will be willing to ordain you. Sesshin should be undertaken for itself simply as an experience of intensive practice.