25 March 2017 @ 11am: Way Seeking Mind Talk offered by HSZC Resident & recently ordained Priest – Rev. Hokai, Max Swanger!

Rev Hokai (Max) has been part of the SFZC/Shunryu Suzuki Roshi lineage of Soto Zen Buddhist centers, for the past 19 years. He has lived at Tassajara, Green Gulch and is in his second residence period with hartford street zen center, issan ji temple. He also has been engaged in Buddhist practice in additional traditions and in other lineages.

He was recently ordained as a Soto Zen Priest through Rev Myo Lahey at HSZC. Professionally Rev. Hokai is in process of completing training in Clinical Pastural Education while he resides at hszc,

Every Saturday we offer early morning zazen (seated meditation), a brief drop-in meditation instruction at 8:30 am. And again zazen at 9:25 am. We wrap up with a dharma talk at 10:15 am followed by a ceremony if applicable, then tea and cookies with socializing. Please know you are welcome and invited!

11 March – full moon ceremony 7:10am & Shukke Tokudo, Sōtō Zen Priest Ordination 出家得度 @11am!

Our monthly full moon ceremony will be conducted during Saturday Morning Service and then usual sitting schedule, dharma talk by Rev Myo @10:15am followed by…

A Sōtō Zen Priest will be ordained for the first time in over 20 years at Issan-ji!

The Sangha is very excited to announce the ordination of Hogetsu, Max Swanger, who will receive ordination from Rev Myo Lahey as the first to be ordained at Issan-ji (HSZC) since two students of Zenshin, Philip Whalen ordained priests (who are unfortunately for us no longer with us).

Issan Dorsey, our temple founder also ordained three priests and our surviving lineage survives today in one priest, Daiko Tanzen, David Bullock. This is an honor and celebratory moment to have Max join the lineage from hartford street zen center/Issan-ji!

This is looking to be a heavily attended event, but please know all are invited to celebrate the continuation of the Soto Zen priest lineage of Issan-ji, HSZC!