Doko

Hi my name is Doko,

I have been interested in Tendai for at least five years now, maybe more. My first real experience with Tendai was taking Shomon's(Shoken) online program. I really enjoyed it and wanted to keep going so I kept in communication with Shomon afterwards. Shomon was very kind to communicate with me and encourage me and I will always be grateful to her for this. I knew she studied at the Tendai Buddhist Institute with Monshin and Shumon and she put me in contact with them. My first visit to the institute was this year for O-Higan. This was when I knew for sure that I was home. The retreat was beautiful and even though I was glad to return yo my family I felt like Monshin and Shumon were my family too so it was hard to leave. This was interesting because this was the first time I had met them but I felt very strongly connected to them. Monshin mentioned gyo training and said he would make an exception for me if I was eligible to attend; usually he requires an applicant to come to a few retreats or seminars before applying for a gyo. I instantly took a look at my life and decided to give up everything unnecessary in an effort to secure the funds required for the training. I wrote a paper and made a resume and acquired several letters of recommendation from teachers and my boss and others and went through the formal application process. I was pretty sure I would not be accepted for the training because I have never attended college. Finally I received an email from Monshin saying I could go to gyo and I jumped up and down and screamed and hugged everyone around me! The Gyo was an experience beyond words. It was a real unexpected thrill to meet Shomon and do my first gyo with her! I had no idea she would be there. I also met and trained with Keisho who was another Tendai hero for me! Chizen, Senshin and Yoren became my Brothers and Sisters and I think of them and their kindness everyday. We worked so hard together and met many challenges and we have grown together in a way that can never be broken. There are still lessons unfolding to this day that began as seeds planted during the training.

During the O-Higan retreat I met Innen who leads the Red Maple Sangha in Canada. He was there for my first gyo as well. At some point during the gyo he asked Monshin for permission to create sangha twins with me. He has been leading a sangha for many years and is very wise. When Innen proposed the sangha twin idea to me he asked me to think about it for a while. I realized what a great honor it was even to be considered for this so I accepted the moment he asked. Innen, Shomon and the other Doshu and Soryo have been here to guide me as I lead a small sangha here in Colorado.

I am probably the least likely person to be a Buddhist which I think is proof of how universal the Dharma is. I was raised in Chicago and learned almost everything I know from the streets. I have been a breakdancer and artist since I was a young boy. There was always a part of me that longed for the mountains, simplicity and the truth. I believe that if Tendai can speak to me and make such a dramatic change in my life that it can work for more people then we realize. What I lack in knowledge I try to make up in effort and vulnerability. Like Shomon, I just can't quit once I have taken a challenge...I really admire her for this. When I am not at work or raising my two boys I am usually in our Mini-Hondo in Shikan or practicing another element of my training. Whenever time allows, I like to dance, rock climb, hike in the mountains as I like to physically confront the ego as much as possible. I like to keep the balance between family life, work and my formal practice. The key for me is to see the unity in all aspects of life; the practice does not end when we leave the hondo, after all.

So here I am. Please know that if someone as uneducated as myself can have success that you surly can if you feel inclined to do so. If we begin everything we do with humility and gratitude then how can we forget that all we do is in service to others? Many people are unaware of the Dharma. There are also those who are aware of it who don't feel compelled to seek it. Also, there are people who are not capable of undertaking the rigorous training required to assure we can transmit it to others properly. I feel that if we have been exposed to the Dharma and we feel compelled to seek it and if we among the few who are capable of training to serve all sentient beings that we should take up the challenge on everyone Else's behalf. Such a lifetime seems very rare and we shouldn't squander it chasing useless desires.

~ It's an honor to be here on the Danish Blog with you all! I feel a very strong connection to the Lotus Sangha. We are very, very, fortunate to have Shomon here to guide us! She has done an amazing job as a leader and the proof is in the leaders she has developed. Please know that I am thinking of you all every time I practice and encourage others to do so . . . or whenever I am eating cake : )

Doko