Last week, Zenju Earthlyn Manuel and Konin Melissa Cardenas completed their dharma transmission ceremonies and officially became dharma heirs in the lineage of Suzuki-roshi.
Zenju began her training with her beloved root teacher, Zenkei Blanche Hartman, and completed the transmission ceremony with Shosan Victoria Austin, who stepped in to pick up the baton when Zenkei’s health didn’t allow her to take part in the strenuous 21-day event. Konin has been a student of Shosan’s for many years, and her dharma transmission is the culmination of her training. Many women “brown robes” came to City Center to take part in a Women’s Entrustment Ceremony, designed by Shosan to honor the lineage of women teachers. Deep bows of gratitude to all the women teachers, known and unknown.
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Konin and Zenju in the City Center courtyard. Photo: Vaschelle André
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Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, Shosan VIctoria Austin, Konin Melissa Cardenas, Kiku Christina Lehnherr, Josho Pat Phelan, and Keiryu Liên Shutt. Photo: Vaschelle André
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Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, Shosan Victoria Austin, Daijaku Kinst, and Konin Melissa Cardenas. Photo: Josho Pat Phelan
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Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, Shosan VIctoria Austin, Konin Melissa Cardenas, Kiku Christina Lehnherr, Josho Pat Phelan, and Keiryu Liên Shutt. Photo: Vaschelle André
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Konin Melissa Cardenas. Photo: Vaschelle André
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Zenju Earthlyn Manuel. Photo: Vaschelle André