Shundo David Haye – Zen Priest

On Saturday I went over to Zen Center again, this time not riding a bike nor needing to ask a question, but to witness Kim’s tokudo – it may be the last time for a while that I put on my white kimono and bessu, which are reserved for formal occasions. Kim is one of the people at Zen Center who obviously love the practice to their core; I have no doubt she will be doing this for the rest of her life, having already devoted many years to it, both here and in Italy, where she developed her love of forms. It is a great pleasure to see someone taking the steps they fully deserve to be taking, pursuing a life of vow.

I took some pictures:

The final head-shaving

Folding up her zagu at the end of the ceremony

Grappling with sleeves is part of a priest’s life

Kim with Krista

Kim with Theo