Daoren refers to, dao, people on the spiritual path and to ren, the lotus of awakening. The purpose of the group is to strengthen and deepen one’s personal practice by working with a set of common and individual vows.
Daroren members take vows in the spirit of Dogen’s philosophy of gyogi or continuous practice. We strive for transparency by mutually supporting individual practice and offering accountability to one another and to the sangha. Monthly meetings facilitate this practice.
Our Practice Together
Vigorous daily practice transforms our life. This list includes social gatherings, dharma discussions, personal and group vows, service, and accountability.
Retreats
Daoren has 3 day-long retreats each year at members’ homes to deepen spiritual relationships and support among members.
Monthly Mondo
At retreats or through Zoom, mondo serves to bond the group together. Mondo builds connection through discussion of points of practice and personal insight inspired by the interpretation of works by Zen masters.
Shared Vows
The group holds these common vows for practice:
- To make personal vows emphasizing personal or practical matters from our life.
- To sit zazen at least 5 times a week, ensuring zazen is part of daily life.
- To recite the Bodhisattva vows daily.
- To begin at least one meal a day with the Five Thoughts.
- To begin and end each day with a simple ritual.
- To give at least 4 hours of service per month at Dharma Rain.
- To complete at least 3 days a year in sesshin or retreats.
- To continue an ongoing spiritual relationship with a Dharma Rain teacher.
Service
Daoren Circle members maintain the library as a long-standing service to the sangha. Members engage in other service areas including: construction of buildings and ornaments, prison work, hospice care, kitchen duty, Sunday and Wednesday service greeter, sacristan, jisha, precentor, Shuso, Zoom jisha, and maintenance of the grounds.
Join the Daoren Circle
Each year, as Summer ends, the Daoren welcomes people to join the circle for the coming year. By September they make a commitment during an opening ceremony to practice together from September to May. To join, Daoren Circle members will have already taken the Precepts. They will have an established meditation practice and will have had some sesshin experience.
Daoren are not usually residents of the temple. However, we remain one with the sangha while continuing to carry out our vows and duties of our particular lives and occupations wherever we may be. We are guided and inspired by continued spiritual association with a Dharma Rain Teacher and with the sangha. As Daoren we involve ourselves visibly and fully in the life of the Dharma Rain sangha.
To inquire about joining the Daoren Circle, contact our guiding teacher Flying Fish at rev.flyingfish at gmail dot com.
History
The Daoren Circle began in 2007. It grew out of a committee that made recommendations for a group of lay practitioners. The lay teachers, Jiko, Bukkai, and Fumyo helped to organize the group. Bukkai began as the guiding teacher, followed by Kengan, then Flying Fish. A Dharma Rain teacher provides oversight of the activities of the group.