Becoming a Formal Student
At the Louisville Zen Center, becoming a student is a simple yet meaningful step. It is a formal commitment to Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha within this tradition and under this teacher’s guidance. While not required, some find that formalizing the student-teacher relationship deepens their practice.
Prerequisites
Before accepting someone as a student, Sensei generally expects that the person has:
- Been a Member of the Center for at least a year.
- Worked with her through regular dokusan.
- Actively participated in Center activities.
- Taken part in (or plans to take part in) a Jukai (Taking the Precepts) ceremony.
- Made the request to become a student during dokusan.
New Student Ceremony
The New Student Ceremony formally marks the beginning of the student-teacher relationship.
- Lasts about 20 minutes and is scheduled before, during, or after a sitting.
- The ceremony assistant will review details with the student beforehand.
- Most of the ceremony involves Sensei speaking about the meaning of becoming a student.
- Following Japanese custom, the ceremony includes a small, anonymous monetary offering to Sensei. This is a donation to the teacher personally, not to the Center, and is a token of commitment, respect, and gratitude. The ceremony assistant will formally present the offerings on behalf of the new students.
After the Ceremony: Ongoing Commitments
- Supporting the Center: Students are encouraged to make a regular financial contribution (if possible), stay active in the Sangha through sittings and events, and volunteer as needed.
- Staying in Touch: It’s the student’s responsibility to maintain regular contact with Sensei. Local students should attend dokusan in person when possible; non-local students can connect remotely. A robe is generally expected for dokusan, but dark clothing is fine if you don’t have one. Please wear your rakusu if you have one.
- About Working with Other Teachers: Like her teachers before her, Sensei prefers that her formal students not take dokusan or daisan with teachers outside of Cloud-Water’s senior students or Dharma Heirs (during sesshin). This request is made to help avoid potential confusion, as different teachers often have different approaches and styles. Staying with one teacher supports the development of a close, trusting student-teacher relationship, which is essential for deep and effective practice.
- Ending the Relationship: If you decide to step away as a formal student, please speak with Sensei directly. Just as there was a ceremony to begin the relationship, a clear and respectful ending allows for closure and honors the student-teacher bond.
Other Steps
As a student, you may request to receive a rakusu and a Dharma name:
- Rakusu: This bib-like, abbreviated Buddha robe, sewn by you or for you, symbolizes commitment to the Three Treasures. Wearing it is a personal and visible expression of that commitment.
- Dharma Name: While not publicly used by lay practitioners in our lineage, the Dharma name carries private, symbolic meaning. Some students use it in correspondence with Sensei.
For questions about the process of becoming a student, please speak with Sensei directly.