October 23, 2025
Lay Initiation Ceremony at City Center

Left to right: Victor Grajski, Adam Paul, Central Abbot David Zimmerman, Ryushin Paul Haller, Sozan Michael McCord, Isabel Peñaranda, Matthew Golino, Claire deChivre and Catherine Spaeth. Photo by Tova Green.

 

Congratulations to the initiates who received the Bodhisattva precepts in a Lay Initiation Ceremony at City Center on September 20.

Receiving the precepts from David Zimmerman: Victor Grajski – Risshō Shinji / Upright Sincere Pine, Trust Self-Nature; Adam Paul – Tansen Zenken / Quest(ing) River, Complete Expression.

Receiving the precepts from Ryushin Paul Haller: Isabel Peñaranda – Sō Mon Kei Dō / Ancestral Gate, Joyous Way; Matthew Golino – Kyū Sei Kyō Rin / Investigate Life (itself), Mirror Forest; Claire deChivre – Myōsen Ekai / Wondrous River, Wisdom Ocean.

Also present were Matthew’s teacher Sozan Michael McCord and Claire’s teacher Catherine Spaeth.

 

Features, For Mary Watson

Remembering Mary Watson

I want to invite us to be with Mary's spirit, because she really embodied compassion. When Blanche gave her the precepts, she gave her the name, Eyes of Compassion, Nurturing Teacher, and that's what Mary was.