Hello everybody,
I hope everything’s fine with you.
Who could explain me how Tendai initiations (both lay and monastic) are carried out? I’ve already seen the major Tendai websites about this topic, but they didn’t seem to be fully comprehensive. Does the seat temple Enryakuji have an official ritual for this purpose?
BTW, I’m not interested in converting at the moment, I only wanted to get information about it.
Thank you all and let’s pray for the victims of Coronavirus,
Kajmak
Tendai initiation
Re: Tendai initiation
Those who, even with distracted minds,
Entered a stupa compound
And chanted but once, “Namo Buddhaya!”
Have certainly attained the path of the buddhas.
-Lotus Sutra, Upaya Chapter
純一実相。実相外。更無別法。法性寂然名止。寂而常渉照名観。
There is only reality; there is nothing separate from reality. The naturally tranquil nature of dharmas is shamatha. The abiding luminosity of tranquility is vipashyana.
-From Guanding's Introduction to Zhiyi's Great Shamatha and Vipashyana
Entered a stupa compound
And chanted but once, “Namo Buddhaya!”
Have certainly attained the path of the buddhas.
-Lotus Sutra, Upaya Chapter
純一実相。実相外。更無別法。法性寂然名止。寂而常渉照名観。
There is only reality; there is nothing separate from reality. The naturally tranquil nature of dharmas is shamatha. The abiding luminosity of tranquility is vipashyana.
-From Guanding's Introduction to Zhiyi's Great Shamatha and Vipashyana
Re: Tendai initiation
What sort of initiation are you thinking of? Are you taking about vows and becoming a disciple, or are you talking about empowerments?
Re: Tendai initiation
The ritual and etiquette for taking lay vows is down to the particular teacher/priest. The vows are, of course, standard. With taking ordination, there is a set process and ritual etiquette, but again each temple may have their own specific ritual. Typically a newly ordained student would take the 10 bodhisattva precepts.
Re: Tendai initiation
So, from what I understand: The ritual etiquette and gestures depends on the temple you attend. But the vows are the same in all Tendai temples. So,which are they? Taking refuge, the five precepts, bodhisattva precepts or something else?
Thanks for your reply,
Kajmak
Re: Tendai initiation
Yes, refuge, the 5 lay vows and the Bodhisattva Vows.
Re: Tendai initiation
I have another question. Do laypeople only take the 5 lay vows or they take the 10 Bodhisattva Vows too? And do you have to take them both or can you “choose” which you prefer?
Thank you very much, Seishin!
Kajmak
Re: Tendai initiation
Generally speaking lay people only take 5, although it's not impossible to take 10 as a lay person. But its usually only for your initial ordination as a priest.
And no, we don't pick and choose which vows to follow.
And no, we don't pick and choose which vows to follow.
Re: Tendai initiation
Thank you very much for your explanation Seishin 
Kajmak
Kajmak