Today I traveled to Hayward and the Nichiren Buddhist International Center for a Tokudo Jukai-shiki cermony, the Attaining the Way and Bestowing the Precept Ceremony for inducting a novice priest.
The new novice is Mark Herrick, whom I’ve met several times while attending services in Oakland with Rev. Ryuei McCormick.
Head Priest Seattle Choeizan Enkyoji Nichiren Buddhist Temple. Far right is Ryusho Jeffus of Syracuse, New York.
Ryuei’s Hōkoku-bun
Here is a good man, who is undertaking the ceremony of crossing over and receiving the precepts before the Buddha, the founder, and the Three Treasures. His name is Mark Herrick. Since he was born in this world, spring and fall have passed 63 times. His previous good roots have now met with opportune conditions so that he has finally made the determination to leave home and accept the precept of the Lotus Sutra and wear the black-dyed robe.
We humbly reflect that since our founder Nichiren Daishōnin left home and crossed over at the age of 16 he put the Great Dharma of the Great Sage, Śākyamuni, the World Honored One, into the Odaimoku and spread it everywhere under heaven. He dedicated his life to saving all sentient beings. Now, this good man, Mark Herrick, takes his position as the newest disciple in this lineage. He is taking up Śākyamuni Buddha and Nichiren Daishōnin’s saving vow and activities as his own, thereby inheriting the seed of the Buddha to spread throughout the ages so that he can requite one ten thousandth of the favor of the Buddha.
May the Eternal Śākyamuni Buddha who attained awakening in the remote past, our founder Nichiren Daishonin, the past ministers who have contributed so much to our school, all place their hands upon his head and certify this crossing over and reception of the precepts with joy.
May the great vow of happiness in this world and the next be accomplished.
Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō
On this, the 16th Day, and 2nd Month of the year 2020
Preceptor, Ryuei McCormick, (Kaō)
