More than 70 people enthusiastically welcomed 5 new lay Buddhists as we celebrated our first Sunday services in the new Sodo. The building is unfinished with no electricity or water yet, but it is wheelchair accessible, and it’s ours.


Preceptees (back row, left to right) are Randall Filbert, Sally Tomlinson, Kelly Klooster-McCombs, Arjuna James Badgley, and Alison Dean. In the front row is Shuso Gay Kei’un Lewis; Abbot Gyokuko Carlson; and Jisha Doug Hull.

After the ceremony, everyone was able to enjoy coffee, tea, muffins and cookies, as long as we wished. Lots of joyous conversation and connecting ensued.

All photos by Karen Sokyo Swallow.