Hokyo's journey to priesthood.
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Hello, my name is Hokyo Joshua Routhier and I wear many hats. I am a father, a widower, a graduate student, a gestalt coach, and a spiritual teacher in the mid-Michigan area. I have spent the last 10 years in various forms of person work, spiritual practice, and school to see myself and learn enough that I may be of help to others. I have come to Go Fund Me to share an exciting opportunity that has appeared in my life that I need your help to achieve.
My teacher Junpo Denis Kelly Roshi, Abbot of the Hollow Bones Rinzai Zen order (mondozen.org) has graciously offered me ordination as a priest in our Zen lineage. This is a huge honor as well as a milestone in my own personal work.
My ordination is scheduled for the June 2015 retreat at the Dai Bosatsu Zendo in New York State.
· Information of Dai Bosatsu is here: http://www.zenstudies.org/daibosatsuzendo.html
· Information for the retreat date is located here: https://hollowbones.worldsecuresystems.com/BookingRetrieve.aspx?ID=233219)
The reason I come to you is that my finances are as it stands tight at best. Between graduate school at Wayne State University, a lot of driving (between teaching, school, and home), and a beautiful, unique 14 year old daughter. I am barely making rent each month. Nothing is dire or an emergency in my life circumstances but the costs for this ordination are ironically (for Zen) high for a few reasons which are as follows:
The first reason is that the cost of the retreat despite being incredibly reasonable (considering location and that food and board are included) are still difficult within the structure of my social security survivor's benefits and my school loans. It is possible that I may be able to receive a scholarship from the Hollow Bones community which would help as well as volunteer within the community to lower the cost. Junpo and the registrar have always been very generous when working with me as well. Between payment plans as well as a deal to lower costs for everybody I bring. The retreat costs should be manageable if things work out but I cannot necessarily count on any of these forms of assistance.
The second reason is the I want to be ordained in the full and proper robes. For those who know me closely, I have rarely do anything half way and this event is no different. I consider this a huge step in my life. One that I take very seriously. I believe that anyone who is taking up the mantle of leadership needs to have the proper vestments for when circumstances demand them. I have listed the things I need on an Amazon wishlist to show the costs I am working with, which you can find here: http://amzn.com/w/19QWMPCLBXAR3.
Between the retreat ($750), the cost for the full robes ($771 + $65 for Rakusu), and travel. I am asking for exactly $2000 dollars. This should completely cover my costs as well as vehicle maintenance and takes into account any unforeseen issues.
My hope in posting this to Go Fund Me is that my situation will be viewed as a form of social investment. An answer to the question "What do you want more of in the world"?
My plan as a future Zen priest is to create a ministry that focuses on the practice of mindful awareness to cultivate compassion in ourselves as well as also promote positive action within the world.
Look, I know that your money is hard earned. Everyone is financially tight and I am but one of millions of voices crying out for help. I ask that you see this request as the possibility to support the next step of my life's work. A chance to show that the personal journey is still meaningful by investing in my own.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and I ask that if you feel inclined to share it. Please do so!
Deep love and infinite gratitude,
Hokyo Joshua Routhier
P.S. Please keep a look out for an upcoming video also explaining my situation. You can also find me online at my Facebook page: http://tinyurl.com/ljsmbb2 and on my YouTube Channel: http://tinyurl.com/np4fc3k to get to know myself and my work better.
My teacher Junpo Denis Kelly Roshi, Abbot of the Hollow Bones Rinzai Zen order (mondozen.org) has graciously offered me ordination as a priest in our Zen lineage. This is a huge honor as well as a milestone in my own personal work.
My ordination is scheduled for the June 2015 retreat at the Dai Bosatsu Zendo in New York State.
· Information of Dai Bosatsu is here: http://www.zenstudies.org/daibosatsuzendo.html
· Information for the retreat date is located here: https://hollowbones.worldsecuresystems.com/BookingRetrieve.aspx?ID=233219)
The reason I come to you is that my finances are as it stands tight at best. Between graduate school at Wayne State University, a lot of driving (between teaching, school, and home), and a beautiful, unique 14 year old daughter. I am barely making rent each month. Nothing is dire or an emergency in my life circumstances but the costs for this ordination are ironically (for Zen) high for a few reasons which are as follows:
The first reason is that the cost of the retreat despite being incredibly reasonable (considering location and that food and board are included) are still difficult within the structure of my social security survivor's benefits and my school loans. It is possible that I may be able to receive a scholarship from the Hollow Bones community which would help as well as volunteer within the community to lower the cost. Junpo and the registrar have always been very generous when working with me as well. Between payment plans as well as a deal to lower costs for everybody I bring. The retreat costs should be manageable if things work out but I cannot necessarily count on any of these forms of assistance.
The second reason is the I want to be ordained in the full and proper robes. For those who know me closely, I have rarely do anything half way and this event is no different. I consider this a huge step in my life. One that I take very seriously. I believe that anyone who is taking up the mantle of leadership needs to have the proper vestments for when circumstances demand them. I have listed the things I need on an Amazon wishlist to show the costs I am working with, which you can find here: http://amzn.com/w/19QWMPCLBXAR3.
Between the retreat ($750), the cost for the full robes ($771 + $65 for Rakusu), and travel. I am asking for exactly $2000 dollars. This should completely cover my costs as well as vehicle maintenance and takes into account any unforeseen issues.
My hope in posting this to Go Fund Me is that my situation will be viewed as a form of social investment. An answer to the question "What do you want more of in the world"?
My plan as a future Zen priest is to create a ministry that focuses on the practice of mindful awareness to cultivate compassion in ourselves as well as also promote positive action within the world.
Look, I know that your money is hard earned. Everyone is financially tight and I am but one of millions of voices crying out for help. I ask that you see this request as the possibility to support the next step of my life's work. A chance to show that the personal journey is still meaningful by investing in my own.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and I ask that if you feel inclined to share it. Please do so!
Deep love and infinite gratitude,
Hokyo Joshua Routhier
P.S. Please keep a look out for an upcoming video also explaining my situation. You can also find me online at my Facebook page: http://tinyurl.com/ljsmbb2 and on my YouTube Channel: http://tinyurl.com/np4fc3k to get to know myself and my work better.
Organizer
Hokyo Joshua Routhier
Organizer
Ann Arbor, MI
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