Gates of Initiation

Footsteps through Time, Space, and Spirit...
Traditionally, a progressing series of initiatory steps serve as "mile markers" on the Butsu-Do Path of Awakening, affirming ever-deepening commitments, and signaling new beginnings in ever-advancing training.

The Blue Lotus Assembly offers a life-long series of initiations for those who choose formal connection to the lineage. There is absolutely no obligation or expectation for anyone to take these initiations; they are offered only as encouragements to those who wish to make a personal statement of commitment.

Practitioner Initiations

Practitioner Step 1 - Avowed Practitioner on the Path of Awakening

San-Ki-E   "Triple Promise of the Three Jewels"

You are so inspired by the thought of the transformative power of the “Three Treasures” – your potential for awakening to the brightness that is your truest nature, the true path to that awakening, and the inspiring community that encourages and guides you – that you just have to make a declaration of promise to live by reliance on those three keys for the rest of your life.

With your San-Ki-E Triple Refuge promise to live guided by the Three Treasures, you state your personal identification with the Path of Awakening. Triple Refuge is your acknowledgement that taking the Path has always been there in your potential, and you are completing that connection now with a feeling of "coming home."

As a first step on the Butsu-Do "Path of Awakening", study the philosophy, history, and practices through books, CDs & DVDs, classes, and workshops. Learn to meditate. Practice being morally mindful of the impact of all your thoughts, words, and actions in every moment of life. Join a study group if at all possible.

Avowed Practitioners of the Path of Awakening Tradition wear a single-loop juzu practice counter on the left wrist. Practice is based on meditations from the books How To Own The World , First Steps on the Path of Light , and Action Meditation . There is no charge as such for the San-Ki-E ceremony - certainly nothing is being 'sold and bought' - but it is customary to offer the presiding teacher a gift of between $35 to $75 or more, based on personal circumstances.

Practitioner Step 2 - Avowed Practitioner on the Path of the Precepts

Ju Kai "Promise to Live the Precepts"

You have lived the 14-Point Code of Mindful Action, developed yourself through the 8-fold Personal Accomplishment Plan, explored the 37 Parts of the Path to Breakthrough, and practiced mind and spirit centering meditation. Now you feel pulled to make the ideals and practices of the Path of Awakening a dedicated part of your identity and life. You just have to go further and ask to be held accountable for living up to what were trial options before.

Once you have completed at least 1 year of training after San-Ki-E, along with various study requirements, you may ask permission to take the Jukai ceremony, through which you make a public promise to live every day of your life from that moment on with those self-realization practices as your bedrock foundation for thought, speech, and action.

Avowed Practitiones of the Path of the Precepts Tradition wear a han-kesa half-loop stole over the shoulders with a juzu bead practice counter on the left wrist. Practice is based on meditations from the books How To Own The World, First Steps on the Path of Light, and Action Meditation. There is no charge as such for the Ju-Kai ceremony, but it is customary to offer the presiding teacher a gift of between $50 to $100 or more, based on personal circumstances.

Practitioner Step 3 - Avowed Practitioner on the Path of the Spiritual Hero

Bosatsu Kai  "Bodhisattva Promise "

These practices bring you so much inspiration and so define your life that you are compelled to provide a living example of these spiritual benefits to every person you encounter. You just have to ask your mentors to witness your public promise to be held accountable for conducting every moment of every day in a way that encourages and inspires every living being to take the Path of Awakening in pursuit of liberating their inner potential.

By making a commitment to living as an example for others, you make a promise to be as authentic and thorough as possible in your own personal study and self-perfection, guided by the 5 vows and 6 precepts of the Bodhisattva hero. You will learn much for yourself in your role of serving others.

Avowed Practitioners of the Path of the Spiritual Hero Tradition wear a wa-gesa loop stole over the shoulders with a juzu bead practice counter on the left wrist. Practice is based on meditations from the books How To Own The World, First Steps on the Path of Light, and Action Meditation. There is no charge as such for the Bosatsu-Kai ceremony, but it is customary to offer the presiding teacher a gift of between $50 to $150 or more, based on personal circumstances.

Practitioner Step 4 - Avowed Practitioner on the Path of Yoga Tantra

Deshi Kanjo "Vow of the Tantric Yogi Disciple"

As you progress on the Path of Awakening, you may find yourself pulled to the depth practices of Yoga Tantra, through which you completely identify with the deity that is your highest inner potential. Once you have completed at least 4 years of training after San-Ki-E, fulfilled various requirements, and made a depth commitment to exploring these truths with absolutely no reservation, you may apply for Deshi Kanjo initiation, through which you become a disciple of these truth-discovery teachings in their deepest form.

The English language word disciple ("one who practices a discipline") is the best term for this role, although words like "priest" or "monk" are often used in the West to describe this level of commitment even though one might not lead a congregation or live in a monastery as a possessionless celibate.

Avowed Disciples of the Path of Yoga Tantra Tradition receive a disciple ordination name and ketsumyaku teacher lineage chart reaching all the way back to the original Buddha Shakyamuni, wear a wa-kesa full-loop stole over the shoulders with a juzu bead practice counter on the left wrist, and possess a vajra wand and bell set. The work begins with personal instruction in the Ju-Hachi Do vajrayana practice of deity-identification yoga. There is no charge as such for the Deshi Kanjo ceremony, but the expenses of assembling teachers qualified to conduct the initiation are not inexpensive, and so it is customary to offer the presiding teacher a gift of between $350 to $800 or more, based on personal circumstances.

Life-Work Initiations

Sangha Step 1 - Practice Group Leader in the Order of the Blue Lotus Assembly

San-Ju-Jo Kai  "Vow of the Three Pure Precepts"

You may find yourself so dedicated to the Path of Awakening that you feel a responsibility to assist others in taking up the practices. Once you have gone through at least San-Ki-E and Ju-Kai initiations, and explored with your teacher all considerations and commitments needed in guiding others in the practices you are following, you may apply for the ceremonial step of San-Ju-Jo Kai, through which you make a promise of personal commitment to bringing others to these truth-discovery practices.

Sendatsu Practice Group Leaders receive a book of guidelines and admonitions for facilitating group practice, wear a juzu bead practice counter on the left wrist, and carry a shaku-jo 6-ringed staff as a symbol of their role as Practice Group Leader. There is no charge as such for the San-Ju-Jo-kai ceremony, but it is customary to offer the presiding teacher a gift of between $175 to $300 or more, based on personal circumstances. .

Sangha Step 2 - Dharma Teacher in the Order of the Blue Lotus Assembly

Risshi Kanjo Tokudo "Dharma Teacher Ordination"

To take ordination as a Risshi Dharma Teacher in the Blue Lotus Assembly means to serve the order full-time, making the spiritual life your vocation. For those very few persons who will take this step, the process leading to Dharma Teacher ordination is demanding, and designed to point out what life as a teacher-minister is. Remember that once you don the robe of a Dharma Teacher, everyone in your community will be watching you every minute to see what a life of Dharma looks like - you will never again have a "day off".

As a usual norm, initiation as Dharma Teacher usually follows a minimum of 10 years after taking the Ju-Kai vow of the 14 precepts. Ten years provides the time to study, explore, make and correct mistakes, and build enough of a reservoir of knowledge and experience to take on the responsibility of teaching the Path of Awakening to others.

Risshi Dharma Teachers of the Order of the Blue Lotus Assembly Sangha wear a hagoro black robe and full-drape kesa stole over the left shoulder, juzu bead practice counter on the left wrist, and carry a shaku-jo 6-ringed staff. There is no charge as such for the Risshi Kanjo Tokudo ceremony, but the expenses of assembling teachers qualified to conduct the ceremony are not small, and so it is customary to offer the presiding teacher a gift of between $500 to $900 or more, based on personal circumstances. As in Japan, it is also customary for the new Dharma Teacher to invite family, friends, and fellow Sangha members to a celebratory party.

Sangha Step 3 - Senior Dharma Teacher in the Order of the Blue Lotus Assembly

Sozu Kanjo "Senior Dharma Teacher Ordination"

Once you as Dharma Teacher have produced others who have taken the vows of Dharma Teacher, you may be invited to take the vows of a Sozu Senior Dharma Teacher. Under appointment by the Sojo Headmaster of the Order the Blue Lotus Assembly under recommendation of our Board of Trustees, Sozu Senior Dharma Teachers supervise ordained Dharma Teachers under their direction at a number of temples, and are authorized to perform the ceremonies for Dharma Teacher ordinations.

Sozu Senior Dharma Teachers of the Order of the Blue Lotus Assembly Sangha wear distinctively colored koromo robes and full-drape kesa stole over the left shoulder, juzu bead practice counter on the left wrist, and carry a shaku-jo 6-ringed staff.