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Treeleaf Sangha Guidelines
for

Training Soto Zen Buddhist Clergy

based upon sources including
The Guidelines for the Formation of Soto Zen Priests in the West
of
The Soto Zen Buddhist Association (SZBA) of North America

January, 2010

Treeleaf Sangha Guidelines
for
Training Soto Zen Buddhist Clergy
PURPOSE
In order to preserve and nurture the Buddhadharma through the teachingsand practices of Soto
Zen Buddhism as upheld and expressed within the particular customs and teachings of our
Lineage and Sangha, to insure the training and good character of persons available to carry
forward such work as clergy, often in positions of great influence and potential benefit or harm to
the lives of others, and to articulate the responsibilities and expectations that aDharmatransmitted member of the clergy must be prepared to meet in such role of service, these
Guidelines have been created to identify and explore the essential attributes and skills of the
trained Soto Zen Buddhist clergymember, priest and minister within our Sangha. These
Guidelines seek to set forth standards, goals and methods for the clerical training of such persons
for the vital purpose ofrealizing the required attributes and skills suitable to that role. They are
created based upon sources including The Guidelines for the Formation of Soto Zen Priests in the
West of The Soto Zen Buddhist Association (SZBA) of North America
Furthermore, it is the foundation and philosophy of our Treeleaf Sangha that persons training to
be Soto Zen clergy in the West, often individuals with familiesand work responsibilities out in
the world, should constantly seek to bring out into the world the teachings of the Buddha and Soto
Zen Buddhism in their efforts as teachers and ministers. Likewise, given the circumstances and
aims of their training, the place of training and practice for such persons will be primarily out in
the world. It is our avowed purpuse to train Soto Zen clergy closerin role and outlook to the
“minister” (as found in many Christian denominations) or the “rabbi” (a word meaning “teacher”,
as found in the Jewish faith), than a traditional Buddhist “monk”, “mendicant” or “priest”
maintaining a temple (although we will sometimes use that term herein as it is now common in
the West). Those trained in our Lineage, often with families and other work, shallsimultaneously
serve as teachers, caretakers and ‘leaders of the flock’ in their charge. It is the philosophy of our
Lineage that the hard borders between lay and ordained must soften, and that training and practice
can be brought out from behind monastery walls. However, we also believe that the distinction
between lay members and ordained clergy should be maintained, as the latter commit to thespecial training, education and lifetime work and service necessary for their position and
responsibilites as Sangha leaders. As well, although it might seem strange to some that ordination
in Japan and the West for most Zen clergy is still referred to as Shukke Tokudo (‘homeleaving”)
although most Zen priests in Japanese lineages have homes and families which they do not leave,
the term canreflect instead a profound meaning beyond its surface … arising in non-attachment
amid life’s responsibilities, and our True Home which can never be left, nor to which we return..

INTRODUCTION{ TC \l1 "INTRODUCTION}
These Guideline seek to address four main topics for individuals wishing to train as clergy and
teachers of Soto Zen Buddhism within the Treeleaf Sangha:
1. Purpose

–

Whatare we training priests for? How should a priest trainee gain
necessary skills to function when out on their own, and how are they
expected to function and conduct themselves both during and after
training?

2. Standards –

How do we train priests? What do we expect from a priest after ordination?
What areas of work are essential?

3. Elements

–

What are the specific activities,...