Question
Is it true, Master Kosen, that you had Master Deshimaru ordain you again a few years after he first ordained you?
Wasn’t that a denial of your fundamental vows, a doubt about your first ordination?
Thank you!
Bob
Answer from Master Kosen
Not at all. At my first ordination, there was a whole group of childhood friends. Bernard, Katia, and I had known each other for a long time, and he told all three of us: You must become monks!
It was very important for him and his sangha to have young people like us. What good fortune!
Of course we said: Yes, yes, yes.
And some time later, I personally asked him to ordain me again, because now I was the one humbly requesting ordination as a monk. It was, in fact, a mutual affirmation of our commitment as master and disciple.
Kosen