Monks and nuns will not form separate orders inside Amidaji but will be treated equally without any discrimination. However, no discrimination also means that the rules are the same for all. Whenever the term “monk” is used in the present Constitution for easy language, it also automatically includes nuns.
The tokudo candidate must choose a monk or nun from Amidaji sangha as his/her personal teacher with whom he will train in the doctrine and liturgies of Amidaji. Then he must pass an examination with him. The examination will contain general topics established for all candidates at the level of the entire Amidaji organization as well as special topics decided by his teacher and examiner. He must also meet the necessary requirements of a monk as explained in this section.
Monks of Amidaji can be jushoku (resident monks/nuns in a
temple), Sōjō (bishops) or Daisōjō (archbishop). In some cases, any of these
offices can be held simultaneously.
A monk can also be without a temple of his own.
Amidaji follows the wise and compassionate
instructions of the late 23rd Monshu of Hongwanji-ha branch of Jodo Shinshu
school, Shōnyo Shōnin (Kosho Ohtani)[1], who
encouraged the creation of an ordination platform outside of Japan and who
agreed with the first non-Japanese ordinations done in Europe by Rev Harry
Pieper (Shaku Shōgon Hōshi)[2] and
Rev Jean Earacle (Shaku Jôan)[3]. In
the same spirit initiated by Shōnyo Shōnin of sincere aspiration to spread the
authentic Jodo Shinshu Buddhist teachings in a non-Japanese environment,
Amidaji affirms the right to have its own ordination platform. Thus, a
candidate for monkhood who is member of Amidaji can receive his or her ordination
from any of the monks or nuns affiliated with Amidaji after a serious examination
and signing the Monk/Nun's Oath of Allegiance.
If somebody already ordained at Nishi Hongwanji wishes to
become a member of Amidaji and act as a monk in Amidaji international Sangha he
or she must pass examination with one of the monks inside Amidaji system and
also sign the Monk/Nun's Oath of Allegiance. Before any monk (male or female)
ordained outside of Amidaji is accepted as a member he will be investigated and
checked if he has the same orthodox approach as Amidaji. In the case that monk
embraces wrong views himself or he is supporting monks or teachers with wrong
views he will not be accepted in our organization and his previous ordination
will have no value at Amidaji.
People already ordained at Nishi Hongwanji can be accepted in Amidaji if they pass the examinations and sign the Monk/Nun’s Oath of Allegiance without the need of a new ordination. Monks who belonged to any of the other Jodo Shinshu denominations will receive a new ordination.
Any member of Amidaji, without any discrimination of sex, nationality, or any aspect in his or her private life can become a monk or nun of Amidaji if he or she fulfils the necessary requirements mentioned in the present Constitution.
Monks and nuns must meet the following specific
requirements:
- they
must be at least 25 years’ old
- they
must be members of Amidaji temple for at least five years and assume
training with a monk or nun[4].
Exception from this minimum of five years are allowed only in the case of
war, persecution and various dangers or difficulties.
- they
must know and accept the doctrinal foundation of Amidaji temple as
explained in the book Amida Dharma
- they
must pass the general topics established for all candidates at the level
of the entire Amidaji organization as well as any special topic decided by
their teachers and examiners.
- they
must have already abandoned any non-Buddhist religious path or faith, and
among all Buddhist methods to follow exclusively the Jodo Shinshu teaching
- they
must not embrace, promote or support wrong views and divergences from the
Jodo Shinshu teaching as defined by Amidaji temple
- they
observe this Constitution, the rules of the temple or dojo and guide
themselves in their daily life after the rules of behaviour implied in the
Ryogemon and by the Eight Precepts of Faith mentioned in the Amida Dharma.
- they
must have faith (shinjin) in Amida Buddha's Primal Vow, say His Name and
wish to be born in His Pure Land after death
- they
must have abandoned any spiritual practice, be it recitative, meditative
or of any other form, and dedicate exclusively to saying the Nembutsu of
the Primal Vow[5]
- they
must know in depth the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Teaching as taught at Amidaji
temple and be able to transmit it to others without any alteration and in
a simple and easy to understand language. They must be active in helping
others receive faith (shinjin) in Amida Buddha and be available for Dharma
activities
- they
must be examples of discipline and good behaviour in the sangha
- they must accept and sign the Monk/Nun’s Oath of Allegiance
Candidates who do not meet the above conditions are not accepted. There are also a few special situations when people can be rejected from monkhood in our Amidaji sangha. These are the following:
-
the candidate suffers from a severe mental illness.
People with severe mental illness are considered unfit for the responsibilities
of monkhood.
-
the candidate is a drug addict. Drug addicts are
considered mentally unfit for the responsibilities of monkhood. If the
candidate is a former drug addict who follows treatment and has sucesfully
abstained from drugs for at least three years, then he can become a monk.
However, if he starts taking drugs again after becoming a monk, he will not be
allowed to teach nor perform any Dharma activities until he recovers.
-
the candidate is an alcoholic. Alcoholics are
considered mentally unfit for the responsibilities of monkhood. If the
candidate is a former alchoholic who follows treatment and has been sober for
at least three years, then he can become a monk. However, if he starts drinking
again after ordination, he will not be allowed to teach nor perform any Dharma
activities until he recovers.
-
the candidate was convicted for intentional murder[6] or
sexual offenses, especially with children. This is because Amidaji does not
wish to assume any risk by giving them the responsibility of ordination.
-
the candidate is actively promoting in the society a
behavior that is considered abnormal by the twelve moral precepts mentioned at
section 14 of Amida Dharma. To make a
mistake in one’s private life and feel sorry about it is one thing, but to
actively and publicly promote an abnormal behavior in society means that one is
actually fighting against the Dharma and imposes evil views on other
beings. For example, if the candidate is
actively and publicly promoting slavery, homosexuality, paedophilia and various
kinds of sexual misconduct or activities that contradict the Buddhist morality
he cannot be accepted for monkhood. However, if the candidate is a homosexual
in his/her private life but accepts this as sexual misconduct and does not
marry with another homosexual, nor actively and publicly promotes homosexuality
then he can become a monk or a nun[7].
- the candidate does not accept himself or herself with the sex he or she was born with (male or female). People who had sex change interventions or who consider themselves women although they were born as men, or viceversa are not to be accepted as they are considered mentally unfit for the responsibilities of monkhood. However, if a person had sex change operations but he regrets it and considers it a mistake and now accepts himself as the sex he or she was given at birth, then he can become a monk (or nun).
Those who are excluded from monkhood cannot become lay teachers, too. This is because to become a monk and teacher means that one is representing Amidaji sangha and he becomes responsible for others. Thus, more discipline in what they do inside or outside the temple is required of them.
A monk of Amidaji temple must shave his head and beard at ordination and after that to shave regularly in the same manner. Women who become nuns must also shave their head regularly. The only exceptions when monks are allowed to grow hair and beard are 1) if they have a grave illness, 2) if their lives are in danger and they need to hide their identity as monks, 3) if they are in a place where they cannot find any razors. Otherwise, a monk and nun must shave regularly at an interval of maximum five days.
A monk can lose the right to teach, perform religious
services and being in charge of a temple or dojo if he no longer fulfils the
conditions mentioned in this section or if he goes against the present
Constitution and the teaching promoted at Amidaji (see more details in the section
“Administration of the local temples and dojos afiliated with Amidaji”).
Also, the monk can disrobe and return to lay status. If he wishes to become a monk again, he must pass a new examination before re-ordaining.
Teachings and religious services done by monks and nuns
Monks and nuns fulfil the role of main teachers in Amidaji temple and sangha and can lead the various religious services offered at the temple or in the households of lay people.
When teaching, a monk shall act as a faithful transmitter of
the Dharma. The duty of a Jodo Shinshu monk and nun affiliated with Amidaji is
twofold:
1) to present the Amida Dharma (Jodo Shinshu) in a simple and easy to understand language
2) to counteract wrong views
Religious services done by any monks and nuns, are:
- Regular services at ordinary Dharma meetings or at special
events and retreats
- Refuge ceremonies (kieshiki) for lay people who wish to
become members in Amidaji sangha.
- Monk and nun (tokudo) ordinations
- Nembutsu retreats
- Children presentations at the temple
- Marriage ceremonies between biologically born men and
women
- Installing a home altar or personal altar
- Funerals
- Any occasion decided by the lay people in agreement with
the monk
- services at various occasions decided by the monk or
according to people’s needs
Any service done at the temple or in lay people's houses must be accompanied by a Dharma talk and discussion. Lay people should discuss with the monk any doubts they have or any matter of faith they consider important. However, lay people are also encouraged to have their own private services at their home altars and discuss Dharma matters in the family. Thus, there is no religious obligation for them to call monks to their homes if they do not want to.
Monks and nuns of Amidaji shall not perform, inside or outside the temple, any ceremony which involve acts that run contrary to the Buddhist Compassion and morality as presented in Amida Dharma book and in the Constitution and rules of Amidaji. In this sense, they shall not perform services which involve or promote killing and hurting sentient beings, sexual misconduct, consuming alcohol, intoxicants and hallucinogenic substances, etc.
A monk and nun should never stay on a high seat when teaching Amida Dharma or doing a religious service.
All monks and nuns are members of the Council of Teachers.
[1]Shōnyo Shōnin (Kosho
Ohtani) lived between 1911-2002 and introduced Jodo Shinshu Buddhism in Europe.
[2] Rev Harry Pieper (Shaku
Shōgon Hōshi) lived between 1907-1978. He was the first Jodo Shinshu monk in
Europe.
[3] Rev Jean Earacle (Shaku
Jôan) lived between 1930 – 2005. He was ordained by Rev Harry Pieper and also
ordained others.
[4] Monks and nuns who are
already ordained at Nishi Hongwanji and wish to become members of Amidaji will
go directly to examinations.
[5] Breathing techniques or
mental and physical relaxation exercises which do not contain any spiritual or
religious elements are not included in this category.
[6] People who were framed or convicted for political
reasons as well as those fighting against criminal regimes are not excluded
from monkhood or membership in Amidaji. The world is constantly changing and we
at Amidaji cannot judge accurately the political situation of each country.
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