Eleven inmates and two free persons have been ordained as Buddhist lay practitioners in San Quentin.
The San Quentin Buddhadharma Sangha conducted the ordination ceremony, which also included vows for the newly minted adherents to become Bodhisattvas.
A Bodhisattva is one who aspires for supreme enlightenment and to follow the way of the Buddha for themselves and all beings.
Zen Priest “Seido” Lee deBarros blessed the main altar, which held two icons: One showed Buddha sitting; the other depicted Manjushri holding an upright sword, symbolically used to cut through ignorance.
Priest “Jiryu” Mark Rutschman-Byler was followed by the 11 inmates and two women preparing to be ordained.
On a second small precept altar, a pine needle whisk was dipped in water and sprinkled on the soon-to-be initiated. The act symbolized clarity, cleanliness and the ability to give comfort. Three bows by the initiates honored the original Buddha (Shakyamuni), Dharma (Law), and Sangha (Buddhist community).
After the ritualistic purification of minds and bodies of aspiring Buddhists, each made vows to take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, known as the Three Treasures.
Each aspirant vowed to follow 16 precepts expected of a Bodhisattva, including promises to honor life, not to steal, to be sexually respectful, to not become intoxicated, not slander, and to practice loving kindness.
Seido explained that the ceremony has direct linkage to the original Buddha Shakyamuni. The priest gave each newly minted Bodhisattva a blue Wagesa (a sash), worn around the neck. Each Wagesa carried an inscription with a Dharma name given by Seido, embodying a characteristic or personality of the new Bodhisattva.
Names given are meant to inspire virtuous conduct: “Endless Effort,” “Luminous Owl,” “Nourishing Flame,” “Direct Heart,” “Sitting Mountain,” “True Devotion” and “Ancient Devotion.”
Seido extended congratulations and an admonition that the precepts are a gift to encourage a Buddhist practice to be kind, truthful, and be mindful that “Your actions reflect your practice.”
“Jun” Donna Hammamoto, now also know as “Nourishing Flame,” said she decided to partake in a ceremony in prison, rather than the free world, because prison is an especially difficult place to practice the Buddhist life, and being around Buddhist prisoners to her was especially “inspiring.”
The newly ordained are Daniel Borrero, Ronald Cooper, Marcus Crumb, Louis Daniels, Al Garner, Elizabeth Gorelick, Donna Hammamoto, Richard Lindsey, Sean Malis, Terrell Merritt, Greg Sanders, Tan Tran and Phoeun You.
Each new Bodhisattva also received a sitting Buddha icon.
After the Dec. 1 ceremony, hot herbal teas and home-made cookies were served.
