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!