On October 15th, 2006 two Ancient Dragon Zen Gate sangha members, Eric Shutt and Amina Cain, received the Bodhisattva Precepts as well as lineage papers and dharma names from Taigen in a Lay Ordination ceremony. Our Priest Senior Students, Hogetsu Laurie Belzer and Myoshi Roger Thomson, served as Jisha and Jiko respectively.
At the end of a one day sitting, the ceremony took place at the Cenacle Retreat Center on a crisp fall day. Eric’s new name is Yakuchi Nyozan, or Healing Wisdom Suchness Mountain. Amina’s new name is Hyoren Genkaku, or Floating Lotus Deep Awakening. Afterwards a reception was held in which sangha members and other guests were invited to take home jars of honey coming from the hive Eric looks after in Hyde Park.
Eric and Amina are both now serving on the Ancient Dragon Zen Gate Board, Eric as President of the Board. Eric is also our Assistant Ino (meditation hall monitor), and both serve as doans, helping with bells or leading chanting in our services.
