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1. Member
Members are those who wish to meditate at OMZ and support
the Center, but choose not to participate in the specific training methods set
up for students. There are no requirements for member status other than
completing a beginning orientation class. The requested monthly donation is $50.
2. Practicing
Student
Practicing Students are those who choose to begin to engage
in the OMZ system of Zen practice. Here are the requirements for all levels of
students:
- Practice regularly at
home. We suggest at least 30 minutes 5x per week.
- Begin working on the 58
koans of the first group, although alternative practice methods are
allowed on a case-by-case basis.
- Agree to experience the Zen Dialogue process either in a
private or group setting as a prerequisite to koan study.
- Agree to do at least one
long retreat and one weekend retreat per year.
- Attend on Sunday and one
other session throughout the week, as well as at least 4 of the 8 monthly mini
– retreats.
- Attend at least one
workshop a month of the 3 being offered.
- The requested donation for
all student levels is $85 per month.
3. Advanced
Student
Advanced Student promotion is given to those who finish the
first koan collection and show they are willing to commit more time and energy
to the Zen Center and to their meditation practice.
This commitment takes many forms, but is rooted in the idea that by giving more
we receive more. In addition, an Advanced Student will sit without koans for 2
months before beginning the Mumonkan.
4. Senior
Student
To be considered for this level, a student must first finish
the Mumonkan (Gateless Barrier) koan collection and have completed at least two
longer retreats. At this point, a Senior Student should be experiencing on a
deep level how Zen practice can be integrated into daily life. There is a 6
month period of sitting without koans before moving on to the next level.
5. Assistant
Teacher of Zen, Zen Breathwork or
Zenergy Healing
Assistant Teachers
must demonstrate an understanding of the workings of the Dharma in their life
and relationships, and must be firmly rooted in the experience of awakening. Their
teacher must feel that they are ready to take on a leadership position within
the Sangha. There are three types of Assistant Teachers, with each category
having different responsibilities and requirements:
- A Zen Assistant Teacher
must have completed the 100 koans of the Blue Cliff Record (including introductions). They are
authorized to begin giving Dharma Talks and interviews on the first koan list
and the Gateless Barrier.
- Zen Breathwork Assistant
Teachers are authorized to assist and lead in Zen Breathwork sessions and
must have deep experience of the Breathwork method. They must pass the
koans of the Mumonkan and may or may not be authorized to give Dharma Talks.
- Zenergy Assistant Teachers
must have a thorough understanding of the 4 modalities which make up
Zenergy Healing: Hands on energy work, Zen Breathwork, Zen Dialogue and
co-meditation. In addition they must pass the koans of the Mumonkan.
6. Dharma
Holder (Hoshi)
A Dharma Holder must have finished the koans of the Book of
Serenity, and must be a demonstrated leader in the Sangha. The position of
Dharma Holder is a confirmation by the teacher that a student is beginning to
embody the totality of the teacher’s Dharma, and in addition have creatively
sought methods to teach on their own.
7. Zen Teacher
- Shiho
Zen Teacher status is achieved when study of the Transmission of the Light koan
collections is complete and the candidate’s teacher feels that he or she is
independent and able to take on their own students if they choose. There is an
intangible element to this level, as a teacher has to feel that a Shiho
candidate is manifesting the Dharma in a complete manner in his or her teaching
and everyday life.
8. Zen Master -
Roshi
This rare level of attainment will be recognized when a Zen
Teacher has founded a new practice center or retreat center and has been
recognized by his or her teacher.
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