An auspicious day in Chattanooga, an auspicious day for me.  I got the opportunity to ride up to Chattanooga and back with Taiun Michael Elliston, my Zen teacher, today.  He accompanied me on my monthly trip today as we were holding an initiation ceremony there for two new members, Jinro and Setsuna.

The name Jinro is Japanese for "dusty toil,"  the day-to-day work of householders and laypersons.  Zen Master Dogen says that when one such person has clarified the Way, patch-robe monks from all over the world gather to do prostrations and to ask for the benefit of their teaching.  See Shobogenzo (Nishijima translation), Vol. 1, Chapter 8, Raihai-Tokuzui (Prostrating to Attainment of the Marrow), pg. 76, footnote 51.

The name Setsuna is the Japanese approximation of the Sanskrit ksana, reminding us to always be aware of the present moment, here and now.  See Shobogenzo (Nishijima translation), Vol. 1, Chapter 6, Soku-Shin-Ze-Butsu (Mind Here And Now Is Buddha), pg. 54, footnote 32.

It was a lovely ceremony on a lovely, almost summer-like day.  The ride up and back was uneventful, other than four great hours of conversation with Sensei.  I look forward to next month's visit for Buddhapalooza.