TOMORROW: Bodhisattva Monk Ordination - Join Us On Site or Online

TOMORROW: Join Us for Bodhisattva Monk Ordination

Please join us for our Bodhisattva Monk’s Ordination Ceremony (Shukke Tokudo) “Leaving Home and Entering the Way." Piotr Hoden Jahołkowski and Kevin Shindo Souza will publicly make their commitment in “Leaving Family Life” to transcend the values of secular life and to assume the forms of a Buddhist Monk. “Leaving Family Life” is to leave home and let go of all your secular conditions and begin anew. Students will publicly acknowledge and deepen their commitment to their Buddhist path and to continue as a life-long practice not only for themselves but to benefit all sentient beings. Ceremony includes the presentation of monks robes and bowls, receiving O’kesa (Buddha’s Robe) and confirmation of the lifeblood of the Buddha’s and Patriarchs'.

Piotr Hoden Jahołkowski first met Kwong-roshi 27 years ago in Sopot, Poland, when he accepted him for dokusan. Then he introduced himself as a painter, sculptor and performer. He asked Roshi to teach him meditation because he wanted to develop his artistic abilities. Now, through practice, he sees clearly that the only essential art is to understand and realize the True Nature of Mind. Kevin Shindo Souza started practicing in Phoenix, AZ in 2007. In 2008 he moved to Carson City where he led a sitting group. He traveled back and forth from Carson to SMZC to practice on weekends. He received Jukai from Kwong-roshi in 2009 and was given the dharma name Shindo which means “Mind/Ground.” He currently lives in Berkeley, CA with his wife and son and works full time.

Open to the public ON SITE or ONLINE | Donations are appreciated.

Free admission: Please bring celebratory snacks/finger food (e.g., cake, pie, cookies, crackers/cheese, fruit and drinks) for reception.

In order to continue to offer these programs and ensure the future of SMZC, we are asking for your support. Your donation is tax deductible. Sonoma Mountain Zen Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Tax ID #23-7304793

6367 Sonoma Mountain Road, Santa Rosa, CA, 95404 (707) 545-8105 Share on social www.smzc.org