I wanted to talk about ordination ceremony, but I think it is pretty difficult to explain it, because you have no idea of Buddhist priesthood, and what you have in your mind is priest in America, so I have no word to communicate. A good portion of the tape was inaudible on the original here.

[01:09]

So everything has its own position as a Buddhist. That is fundamental teaching of Buddhism, and that is the structure of the teaching. So we cannot say priest is highest, or animal is lowest. Tentatively, as we are human beings, or as we are teachers or disciples, but we are all

[02:42]

friends of Buddhists. We are all Buddhists. Tentatively, we take some responsibility to express Buddhist teachings, but each one of us, because each one of us has its own position and responsibility, so the value of each one is the same. That is fundamental structure of Sangha.

[03:42]

With this understanding, we observe ordination ceremony. Some of them will become priest, and some of them will remain a priest, and we will fulfill our responsibility to realize, for the realization of the teaching, for the practice of our teaching. This is why we have ordination ceremony, because we need priest, but it doesn't mean priest

[04:55]

is highest, or something like that. But when we have some ceremony, or when we have some activity, according to the situation, someone will take more responsibility, and that is quite natural thing which will happen to us. And with this spirit, I want you to join our ordination ceremony. At Sunday, you will be a priest or nun, and no one knows what will happen to us, but whatever happens to us, if you want to join our order and express Buddha spirit,

[06:20]

I want you to join our ceremony, and I shall be very grateful for you. If you appreciate effort, thank you very much. Thank you.

[06:50]

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