Disciple Program, San Jose
The Disciple Program is designed to lead students to reveal the nature of self (or enlightenment) as well as to prepare the Center’s future Zen masters.
Students who have been learning and practicing Zen meditation in the Center for more than six months are qualified to apply for the disciple program, although some exceptions may apply. Once your application is received, you become a novice (disciple-to-be) and are allowed to join the Disciple Program. When you pass the disciple assessment after a 3-to-6 month training, you will be accepted and given a Discipleship Ceremony to become a disciple. (Check the Discipleship Kit for the details.)
As a disciple, you will be given more intensive training and straightforward teaching in order to advance your Zen level efficiently. The scope of your Zen training will not be limited to the on-cushion sitting meditation but also expand to the off-cushion working meditation. You will be required to take the Club None Class, where you will be trained to participate in the Center’s day-to-day operations, conduct assigned jobs (which you will probably have no experience with at all), organize and/or host events for the Center, share your Zen experience with your fellow practitioners and the public, collaborate with your fellow practitioners, work with your Shifus (Zen Masters) of the Center, etc. You will also develop a personal shifu-disciple relationship with your Shifu(s).
All these on-cushion and off-cushion disciple trainings are not only for the deed of your enlightenment, but also serve the purpose of training the Center’s future Zen masters in order to lead more people to enlightenment. Therefore, all disciples are also required to take the Zen Instructor/Assistant Training and Exam. When pass the exam, you will be given the Zen Instructor/Assistant certificate and will have the opportunity to lead/assist Beginner’s Class and/or Bridging Class in the Center.
You may find the meaning of becoming a disciple in the Discipleship Kit. If you are interested in becoming a disciple and/or Zen Instructor, please contact us.
The Club None Class will be held in the following dates.
| Club None Training Class, US and Global Year 2020 | |
| Class | Dates US Club None: Wednesdays 8pm-8:45pm, PST Global Club None: Saturdays 3:15pm-4:30pm, PST |
| No class in January | |
| GCN 11 | 2/22 |
| GCN 12 | 3/28 |
| GCN 13 | 4/25 |
| USCN 9.1 | 5/6 Instructor Training: Bridging Class 1 |
| USCN 9.2 | 5/13 Instructor Training: Bridging Class 2 |
| GCN 14 | 5/16 |
| USCN 9.3 | 5/20 Instructor Training: Bridging Class 3 |
| USCN 10.1 | 5/27 Instructor Training: Bridging Class 1 |
| USCN 10.2 | 6/3 Instructor Training: Bridging Class 2 |
| USCN 10.3 | 6/10 Instructor Training: Bridging Class 3 |
| GCN 15 | 6/13 |
| No class in July | |
| GCN 16 | 8/1 (Sat 10pm ) – 8/2 (Sun 1am) Global Instructor Exam: Bridging Class |
| USCN 11.1 | 8/5 Instructor Training: Beginner’s Class 1 |
| USCN 11.2 | 8/12 Instructor Training: Beginner’s Class 2 |
| GCN 17 | 8/15 |
| USCN 11.3 | 8/19 Instructor Training: Beginner’s Class 3 |
| USCN 12.1 | 9/9 Instructor Training: Beginner’s Class 1 |
| USCN 12.2 | 9/16 Instructor Training: Beginner’s Class 2 |
| GCN 18 | 9/19 |
| USCN 12.3 | 9/23 Instructor Training: Beginner’s Class 3 |
| GCN Annual Training | 10/1(Thu) -10/3(Sat) |
| USCN 13 | 10/21 |
| GCN 18 | 11/7 |
| USCN 14 | 11/11 |
| USCN 15 | 12/2 |
| GCN 19 | 12/5 |
