Novice Curriculum
After a period of ordination discernment, if it is determined that ordination is appropriate for a candidate, a date will be set to begin a year-long Novice Period. The curriculum for this period is summarized below.
A candidate during a Novice Period will:
Attend Zen practice at their Home Temple frequently, at least weekly when not travelling.
Attend monthly Monks Meetings when able, as an observer.
Memorize the Heart Sutra in Sino-Japanese, and the Four Vows.
If a candidate is interested in the Shuso track, they may feel free to begin reading material for that.
Attend Zen practice at their Home Temple frequently, at least weekly when not travelling.
Attend monthly Monks Meetings when able, as an observer.
Memorize the Heart Sutra in Sino-Japanese, and the Four Vows.
If a candidate is interested in the Shuso track, they may feel free to begin reading material for that.
Novice to Master, by Soko Morinaga
3 months, one reflection paper
Unsui, A Diary of Zen Monastic Life, by Giei Sato and Eshin Nishimura
2 months, one reflection paper
Selected cases from The Mumonkan (approximately 12) with commentary by two different teachers
3 months, 2 reflection papers
What does it mean to be a Lay Monk? How do you balance practice and family/relationship life? What is the expected practice of a Lay Ordained person?
The Meaning of Ordination? What does it mean to become an example to the sangha? What is the architype of an ordained person?
