Pujari - Priests
The Brahmajala Priest vows are intended to be universal. They are both rigorous and demanding and they are also ultimately liberating. Because these vows ask much of the person who is receiving them, they must be studied and clarified carefully by those who are called to them. In greater detail, the five vows are:
- Vow of simplicity – A vow of restraint, which means priests are mindful of their actions, consumptions and lifestyle.
- Vow of service – Following the guidance of seniors and teachers, priests vow to give themselves freely.
- Vow of stability – This vow requires that priests have completed major life changes in order to give themselves wholeheartedly to their vows.
- Vow of selflessness – The realization and actualization of one’s life as the life of all beings, rather than a personal entity.
- Vow to aspire to the Buddha way – To act as a model of the manifestation of the moral and ethical teachings of the Buddha, manifesting wisdom and compassion in all actions.
Rev. Anwol Devadipa (Mary Ann Marston) has explored many spiritual practices during her life. In 2009 she joined the Shinnyo-en Buddhist Temple in White Plains, NY and studied there until she moved to Central New York state in 2013.
She found the Lotus Heart Zen sangha in 2015 in Oneida, NY, where she quickly became an active and devoted member. In October of 2015 she received Anagāriya precepts, and honored her vows through tireless effort and assistance to the sangha. On June 4, 2016 she received vows as a Śrāmaṇerī with the Five Mountain Zen Order, and received full ordination on July 15, 2017. She currently is Abbot and serves as the Communications Director for Lotus Heart Zen.
Rev. Anwol is a native of New Jersey and a retired geriatric nurse. She spent 10 years with the American Red Cross as a Disaster Services Co-Ordinator traveling througout the United States helping attend to the needs of those in need. She was at ground zero, following the terrorist attack at the World Trade Center in 2001, coordinating relief efforts.
She now lives in Sherrill, NY with her husband, Robert. Rev. Anwol is currently under the guidance of Ven. Do'an Prajñā.
She found the Lotus Heart Zen sangha in 2015 in Oneida, NY, where she quickly became an active and devoted member. In October of 2015 she received Anagāriya precepts, and honored her vows through tireless effort and assistance to the sangha. On June 4, 2016 she received vows as a Śrāmaṇerī with the Five Mountain Zen Order, and received full ordination on July 15, 2017. She currently is Abbot and serves as the Communications Director for Lotus Heart Zen.
Rev. Anwol is a native of New Jersey and a retired geriatric nurse. She spent 10 years with the American Red Cross as a Disaster Services Co-Ordinator traveling througout the United States helping attend to the needs of those in need. She was at ground zero, following the terrorist attack at the World Trade Center in 2001, coordinating relief efforts.
She now lives in Sherrill, NY with her husband, Robert. Rev. Anwol is currently under the guidance of Ven. Do'an Prajñā.
