Introduction

Rev. Master Jiyu-Kennett started the Lay Ministry in 1981 in response to a request for householder members of the sangha to give meditation instruction and offer spiritual encouragement and support within their local communities. The numbers of lay ministers in North America and Europe, and now other parts of the world, have grown to around 150. Over the years the role of lay ministers has evolved in response to the changing circumstances within the immediate community, meditation group, priory or monastery where they live and function. There is a set of rules for Lay Ministers that describe what they are authorized to do, and outline disciplinary procedures. These are available to be read at any of the temples of the Order.

Who is Eligible?

Women and men who have received the Sixteen Buddhist Precepts from a priest of our Order and have demonstrated their commitment to keeping them for at least two years are eligible for the Lay Ministry. The usual route for entry is via recommendation from a senior priest. Prospective lay ministers are counseled carefully to ensure that it is good that someone becomes a lay minister and that for example, a person doesn’t take on more responsibility than is wise in an already over-committed life of career, family or other interests. There are a variety of good reasons for declining the prospect of becoming a lay minister, and doing so is not seen in a negative light. The majority of people who have received the Precepts within our tradition do not become lay ministers. Many such people continue to deepen their practice of meditation, Preceptual behavior, generosity and compassionate action, keep in touch with their local priest and/or visit a monastery or priory for Refuge. By doing this a Buddhist trainee derives spiritual benefits, which help themselves and those around them.

The Lay Ministry in Daily Life

There is no blueprint for practice for a lay minister any more than there is for any other householder aside from the general spiritual endeavor to make manifest the Bodhisattva ideal in daily living. The rules for lay ministers do however charge them with the responsibility to keep to, and pass on through practical example, the teachings and practice of Buddhism as taught within our Order. There is no hierarchy among the lay ministers or within the lay sangha generally. Becoming a lay minister is not a form of ‘higher ordination’ nor is it a sign of recognition of a level of spiritual understanding. Lay Ministers of our Order are re licensed every two years and the renewal is conditional on having regular contact with a senior priest or priests and having kept up their religious practice.

I hope this article has gone some way toward helping you to appreciate the role of the lay ministers, what they are and what they do etc. If you have any questions and comments I'd really like to hear from you. Rev. Mugo

The views expressed in this article are mine and do not necessarily represent those of the Order as a whole.