Shuso Curriculum
A Shuso is a lay-ordained teacher at PSZC or RZS. With the permission of their teacher, they may lead retreats, perform ceremonies like weddings, funerals, and Buddhist ceremonies.
If the Board of Directors agree, a Shuso may expect some compensation for their teaching work at the center, starting with payment for dharma talks.
A Shuso candidate must be an ordained member of the sangha. If they would like to become Shuso, they must get the approval of their tokudo teacher to take on the Shuso Curriculum.
The Shuso Curriculum is a four-year course of practice and study that need not be completed in four years. The study portion is intended to be an ongoing course, repeated every four years. There is no need for a candidate to start at the beginning of the course – they may join at any point, and they may take a break if needed, and catch up with their requirements later.
Once one has fulfilled the requirements for Shuso, the candidate is reviewed by the Tokudo Council, who must give final approval for a Shuso ceremony. The council will look for diligence during their course, maturity of practice and character, and service to the sangha.
Practice
Post-ordination the Shuso candidate must complete:
(4) 7-sesshin, taking on an officer role in each, and at least one as Shika, in which they guide all the officers.
A total of at least 48 retreat days at your home center, all in an officer position role.
Every lay monk, on the Shuso track or not, is expected to be a steady presence at the center. At PSZC, the expectation is every Sunday when in town, and other times during the week. At RZS at least once a week, ideally more.
The candidate is expected to be involved with the committee life of the center.
It is expected that a candidate will attend 10 to 12 of the monthly monks meeting per year.
Before finishing one’s Shuso training an ordained member must have completed three months of residential training in a Zen training center approved by the Abbot. This period may be broken up if one’s life situation demands. It is customary for the Shuso to take a lead role an intensive practice period, or equivalent, around the time of their ceremony.
Speaking
Study
Candidate should attend every meeting during the semester. If one is missed, a one-page reflection paper should be written on the topic. If two are missed, then the candidate should repeat the class.
Refection papers should be 1-3 pages long.
Year One
Fall/Winter
- September -February. Teachers: Koshin, Shuko
- Buddhism, A History by Nobel Ross Reet, selections
- The Basic Teachings of the Buddha by Glenn Wallace, selections – January, February. Teacher: Koshin or Shuko.
Spring/Summer
- March – July. Teacher: Koshin.
- Seeing Through Zen, by John McRae, Mumonkan Part 1
Year One
Fall/Winter
- September -February. Teachers: Koshin, Shuko
- Buddhism, A History by Nobel Ross Reet, selections
- The Basic Teachings of the Buddha by Glenn Wallace, selections – January, February. Teacher: Koshin or Shuko.
Spring/Summer
- March – July. Teacher: Koshin.
- Seeing Through Zen, by John McRae, Mumonkan Part 1
Year Two
Fall/Winter
- September – February. Teachers: Koshin, Shingen, Eko
- Heart Sutra, Diamond Sutra, Vimalakirti Sutra (selections)
Spring/Summer
- March – July. Teachers: Koshin, Shingen, Eko
- Platform Sutra, Lotus Sutra, Mumonkan Part 2
Year Two
Fall/Winter
- September – February. Teachers: Koshin, Shingen, Eko
- Heart Sutra, Diamond Sutra, Vimalakirti Sutra (selections)
Spring/Summer
- March – July. Teachers: Koshin, Shingen, Eko
- Platform Sutra, Lotus Sutra, Mumonkan Part 2
Year Three
Fall/Winter
- September – February. Teachers: Koshin, Eko
- The Roaring Stream
Spring/Summer
- March – June. Teachers: Koshin, Shingen
- Eminent Nuns, The Hidden Lamp, Mumonkan part 3
Year Three
Fall/Winter
- September – February. Teachers: Koshin, Eko
- The Roaring Stream
Spring/Summer
- March – June. Teachers: Koshin, Shingen
- Eminent Nuns, The Hidden Lamp, Mumonkan part 3
Year Four
Fall/Winter
- September – February. Teachers: Koshin
- Creating a Healthier Church by Ronald Richardson
- Generation to Generation by Edwin Friedman
Spring/Summer
- March – May. Teacher (s) TBD: Leadership Principles, Ethics
- Hekiganroku, selections
Year Four
Fall/Winter
- September – February. Teachers: Koshin
- Creating a Healthier Church by Ronald Richardson
- Generation to Generation by Edwin Friedman
Spring/Summer
- March – May. Teacher (s) TBD: Leadership Principles, Ethics
- Hekiganroku, selections
