[Buddha-l] buddha-l Digest, Vol 53, Issue 33

[Elihu Smith]

A slight correction re Maezumi Roshi's two tracks (which have been continued by a number of his successors): 

The two tracks were a "priestly" track and a "lay" track for Dharma Transmission and teaching. Though the term "monk" may have been used at times, it was clear, and Maezumi Roshi often spoke of it, that those he ordained were "priests" in the Japanese Zen tradition. Though they shaved heads, wore robes etc. most of the time, they did not follow Vinaya precepts but rather Bodhissatva Precepts (except for specific periods or for rare individuals who were "monks" in the traditional sense that the word is used).

Elihu



Message: 1
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:02:36 -0700
From: Franz Metcalf <franz at mind2mind.net>
Subject: Re: [Buddha-l] Orders and Ordinations (was women & , er,
    religion)
To: Buddhist discussion forum <buddha-l at mailman.swcp.com>
Message-ID: <0CAED1D2-01CB-4D3C-B09A-533B794DC3F8 at mind2mind.net>
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Gang,

Maezumi Roshi (and other Zen pioneers out here in the home of the free  
and the brave), have attempted to finesse this distinction and respond  
to the lay-centered nature of Zen practice in the West--in a better  
way than drunkenly bragging about sexual conquests. Maezumi did this  
by establishing two separate tracks among serious practitioners: the  
"priest" track, and the "monk" track. But, as I recall, this  
distinction was not marked/effected by specific vows or rituals.  
Rather, the taking the monkish track was a kind of de facto thing that  
happened when you shaved your hair and moved to the monastery. Things  
have evolved, though, and I believe at least some Maezumi's dharma  
heirs have codified the monk/priest distinction. I'd appreciate  
correction here, if I'm misremembering or inventing. (That would be so  
much easier than my having to go back to my research notes.)

Of course in the nascent American Zen traditions, the more important  
distinction is between those who hold/teach the dharma and those who  
don't. This corresponds to the ancient primary distinction between  
?ryas and us regular folks. The thing is, some of the contemporary  
?ryas, even ones with authority to teach, are *laypersons*!

Franz