| Carl Takes the Anagarika Precepts
Carl is on his way! The Abbey community offered many prayers for Carl to realize his aspirations for ordination as we celebrated his taking of the anagarika precepts, the first step in training for full ordination. He is the first male to take them at the Abbey, and we hope he will inspire others to follow. It was a very joyous day with all the Medicine Buddha retreatants present at the ceremony.

Carl waits for the traditional head shaving before the ceremony. It symbolizes his intention to cut the bonds of attachment.

Venerable Chodron gets ready to make the first cut.
 Dharma brothers and fellow residents Alec and Kevin take their turn as they chant the Medicine Buddha mantra.

The shave is finished by the hands of the sangha.

Carl officially requests the precepts from Venerable Chodron.

Venerable gives Carl and the community a wonderful teaching on the beauty of Carl’s strong aspirations and the value of keeping precepts.
 Venerable proceeds with the cutting of the last lock of hair
 Offerings to the precptor are always auspicious; Jampel offers flowers and a chocolate cake with the seed syllable HUM drawn on top.
 Venerable and Jampel pose after the ceremony. Teacher and student; the most precious relationship just got deeper.
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