Universal teachings for everyday living.
(Formerly the Rev. Gyomay Kubose Dharma Legacy and then
the Bright Dawn Institute for American Buddhism)
Bright Dawn Institute © All rights reserved
LAY MINISTRY STUDY PROGRAM
Our Lay Ministry Program involves approximately 80 consecutive weeks of assigned readings, writing weekly reports and calling in to a weekly small discussion group with participants from around the country. Email access is required. Other than purchasing required text books, there are no tuition fees. Heavy sweat equity is required and a commitment to writing reports and participating in group sessions every Sunday evening.
A three-phase program is offered.
Phase One: Introduction to the Way of Oneness
Discussion over a four-month period that includes books
by Rev. Gyomay Kubose and
Rev. Koyo Kubose.
Phase Two: Lay Ministry Courses
Topics covered over a fifteen-month period include life of the
Buddha and basic teachings, Mahayana Buddhism,
Buddhism in America, and relating the Dharma teachings
to modern applications.
Phase Three: Practicum
Twelve months of formulating individual Action Plans around
personal areas and everyday activities.
The Practicum goal is to develop a continually evolving daily practice and being able to see the Dharma teachings in all aspects of one's life. Participants will work on the same theme and give feedback to one another. For the first six months of the Practicum year, group tele-conferences will be held every other week. For the last six months, the calls will be once a month.
The program concludes with participants attending a Lay Ministry Induction Ceremony
at the Bright Dawn Center in Coarsegold, California.
Two points help describe the background of our Lay Ministry Program. The first is that our purpose is not to provide religious training to prepare a person to function as a minister in the traditional sense of a profession or occupation. Our Lay Ministers do not function within the context of being employed by a congregation or temple, as is the case for traditional clergy. Both cases, that of a lay ministry and that of traditional clergy, have their pro's and con's and it is not suggested that one approach is better than the other. Our Lay Program simply offers a viable and important option that we feel can make a significant contribution and can provide a valuable service.
Everyday Suchness
by Rev. Gyomay Kubose