SENSEI PROGRAM (Clergy Training)

Ajari Mui & Staff

Text/Study Information

Ordination and Sensei Training introduces basic concepts of Pure Land Buddhism as defined and presented by various authors and Buddhist Masters. Concepts defined in the various forms of Pure Land as found in Mahayana practices are explained. Such things as Emptiness, Mind, Noumenon and Phenomena, Light, Life and other key Concepts of Buddhism.

HJCL BASIC REQUIREMENTS

101: MIND-SEAL OF THE BUDDHAS (Indepth study)

102: LIFE OF BUDDHA
Teachings of the Buddha by Narada, plus additional sources of information

103: SUPPLEMENTAL READING
Fundamentals Of Buddhism
Buddhism of Wisdom and Faith
Suzuki: Buddha of Infinite Light
Uno: River of Fire/Water *
Uno: Bits of Rubble turn to Gold *

104: INTRODUCTION TO TENDAI
Chih-I, Nembutsu and Lotus Sutra Intro.

105: INTRODUCTION TO BODHISATTVA CONCEPTS
Brahma Net Sutra

106: HISTORIC ZEN AND PURE LAND PRACTICES
Pure Land Zen-Zen Pure Land Letters of Yin Kuang

107: SUTRA studies

Amida Sutras, Small and Large
Amitayus Sutra
Heart Sutra
Lotus Sutra studies
Elective

108: Elective studies

109 Special Project

* Other General Pure Land texts can be substituted.
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General Study Requirements :

1. Jukai - Lay Ordination: 101, 102, 103 Suzuki: Buddha of Infinite LIght; additional work as designated.

2. Shami: 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107 Amida Sutra Small; additional work as designated

3. Sensei: All studies, complete.
In addition the candidate must have also completed the one-year practice of the Amitayus Sutra Sadhana, Meditation and Visualization under the supervision of the Presiding Abbot.

Student preparing for Ordination within the Hongaku Jodo organization will interact and work directly with a teacher/mentor/facilitator. Completion of the required course of study, based on the approval of the facilitator/Mentor will be required before student is considered for ordination to any level as listed above.

Assignments will be submitted as indicated by the Instructor/mentor.

The instructor may request from the student whatever additional written or verbal work is felt to be necessary to insure that the subject matter being covered in a current assignment is understood completely.

Student may be asked to contact the Facilitator for scheduled interviews at arranged times during the course of study.

All work is encouraged to be submitted in e-mail format.

HJCL LINE OF ORDINATION - ATTAINMENT

Levels of Attainment

The line of ordination in HJ Compassionate Lotus tradition is in keeping with the general historic traditions of Tendai

They are as follows:

1. Lay Ordination = Jukai in Japanese; Upasaka-Upasika in Pali.

2. Shami (Junior Priest) = Shami in Japanese; Sramana in Pali.

3. Sensei = Teacher

4. Shamana, Priest, fully ordained = Shamana, Pali and Japanese

5. Ajari, Priest after Vajra empowerment = Acariya in Pali

Expectations for these levels of attainment

1. Lay ordination JUKAI

Lay Ordination might be seen to be much like “baptism” in some respects, a welcoming of serious disciples into the community of the Greater Sangha where they take on the additional requirements of commitment and practice beyond what a general Sangha member might commit to. This step is a first and very serious move towards lifelong Buddhist organizational practice.

Requirement:
Study with any HJCL qualified clergy to complete at least 1 year of training in the areas of Pure Land Practices, historic patterns, Geographic factors, basic T’ien T’ai and Tendai introduction, and Hongaku Jodo tradition basic rituals, etc.

Take Refuge; take the 5 Lay Precepts in the Hongaku Jodo tradition.
Additional vows and precepts may be taken.
Even though the Lay practitioner is NOT functioning as a monk, nun or priest in any capacity, as home dwellers they, as Lay clergy, practice daily much as monastics and priests practice daily.

Within this area of Lay attainment, the sangha members are encouraged to minister as HJ affiliates in such professional capacities as they are qualified such as in positions of chaplaincy in medical, correctional or military organizations, in pastoral counseling conditions therein, or in other general social interactions wherein an “official” status within Hongaku Jodo might be helpful as determined on individual cases.

Historically, many Buddhist scholars have been designated as Lay Clergy (often with the designation Upasaka or Upasika) and have contributed greatly to the well-being of their chosen traditions.

Lay designation is a time-honored position in Buddhism.

2. Shami ordination (Junior Priest)

Vows of Ordination taken after the minimum of one (1) year as a Lay ordained member AND having additionally completed a required course of study preparing the Shami candidate in the areas of Pure Land history, Tendai/T’ien Tai history, general concepts, and in the Hongaku Jodo Compassionate Lotus tradition history, its concepts and its rituals.

Take Refuge; take 5 Novice Precepts in the Hongaku Jodo tradition;
Take Bodhisattva vows.

Within this area of attainment the Shami is NOT authorized to wear the Kesa (outer robe).

The Shami is NOT authorized to teach “Formally”.

The Shami IS authorized to function in all areas of Lay ministry when qualified to do so.
The Shami IS authorized to lead services, etc.

3. Sensei (Preparation for one who TEACHES)

Requirements: Shami Attainment, or its equivalency.

Vows of Ordination given after having completed additional specific study preparing the candidate to teach general Buddhist & Pure Land history, Tendai/T’ien Tai general historic-Religious aspects, and Hongaku Jodo tradition concepts, etc.

Take Refuge;
take 5 Sensei Precepts in the Hongaku Jodo tradition;
take Bodhisattva vows;
take additional precept vows as needed.

A fully qualified Sensei is authorized to help train Lay and Shami candidates when done so under the direction/authorization and/or approval of senior HJCL leaders.

4. Shamana (Senior HJCL Priest)

Requirements: Having attained the requisite training of the Ordination Line leading to this point of attainment (3 to 5 years of training), the candidate in addition must fulfill the following requirements:

Affirm one’s devotion to HJCL tradition;
Request ordination; be approved for ordination;
Regular interviews with one’s teacher(s);
Renew Refuge vows;
Reaffirm the Bodhisattva Vows;
Take as many Precepts as are necessary for that individual’s successful ministerial/spiritual practice.

5. Ajari

Requirements:
To have served as an ordained HJCL Priest for at least 3 years; Being approved by Ordaining senior HJCL leaders for additional Vajrayana training and Empowerment;
Empowerment is given after completion of Vajra and other qualifying Sadhana training.

With approval from HJCL Presiding Abbot, an Ajari is permitted to teach, train, organize HJCL affiliated Temples and Sanghas, and to transmit Vajra and Pure Land Sadhana empowerments to qualified others.