Ordination of Yusan Graham and Elie Jishin Nijm

On February 28 Jim Graham and Elie Nijm were ordained priests in the Three Jewels Order taking at the same time the shukke tokudo ordination of the Soto school. Their respective Dharma names, Yusan and Jishin, hearken to their origins in Houston, TX and Jish, Israel. Yusan is a classic Zen name (Ching Yusan gave us the “Before practicing Zen, mountains are mountains and waters are waters…” reflection); Jishin means “compassionate heart/mind” in Chinese. Yusan will use his new Dharma name as standard address. Elie will use Jishin as a middle name and will still be addressed as Elie.

The ordination was a milestone for the center, and the presence of so many members attested both to the character of the men being ordained and to the health and vitality of the sangha. The potluck went on for over three hours, although it’s hard to tell if that was because of the sparkling conversation or the need to make so many trips back to the amazing spread of food on the buffet table. If nothing else, this sangha knows how to put on a feast!

The center thanks Yusan and Elie Jishin for their commitment to the Dharma, and it thanks their wives, Debbie and Dina, for their unfailing and selfless support.

Kevin Geiman

Elie Jishin & Yusan

The New Dharma Names are Discussed

Receiving the Kesa

Dina & Elie Jishin, Debbie & Yusan