BAPTISM

Through the baptism ceremony the child is being welcomed in society.

The baptism helps to build identity and community; it gives this phase of life (entry as a new and minor member into society) a clerical, formal and public frame to consciously carry out and process this important life event. The baptism ceremony is an expression of our gratitude for the child and an inquiry for strength for the way the child has to go and will go. The request for care until adulthood is directed at the family, the godparents and the society.

Zen Monk Reding will guide you through the baptism ceremony.

Family & Society

What does it mean to be a family,  a godparent and a part of society? All these relationships are based on the acceptance of reciprocal responsibilities in six social relationships. The six types of human relationships are those between parents and children, spouses, teacher and pupil, friends, employer and employee, and religious teacher and his disciples. Through fulfilling one's responsibilities, one can achieve harmony, security and prosperity both within the family and in the society as a whole.

Your Ceremony

Since there are no compulsory and complex rituals for the baptism, we will determine its sequences in accordance with your wishes.

For more specific information regarding duration of the ceremony, schedule, additional texts and speeches, we will gladly discuss it with you personally. We will recite the "Logos from the Heart" for your child. We cut a strand of hair or a footprint is made. The baptismal candidates bow (with accompaniment) respectively in front of family, the godparents and the guests representing the society in order to express the request for care. To symbolize the transience of life and death, each of those present can burn a pinch of incense at the end of the ceremony. Please note that the number of participants does not matter.

Baptism Ceremony Switzerland

Parents

You have a moral obligation as a parent to encourage your child to go out into the world and to be whoever they can be. To be the best they possibly be and in doing that you encouraging them to pursue the good. You are sacrificing them to the good. You are not keeping them for yourself selfishly. You are telling them that they can go out and live their life and live it properly. You do not want for your child what it is you want for him, but what would be best for him and the world. You let go in precise proportion to your desire to have that happen. You encouraging the child to be the best possible person that person can be. You want to let them move forward into the world as a light on a hill.

Godparents

The godparents are individuals chosen by the parents to take an interest in the child's upbringing and personal development, and to take care of the child should anything happen to the parents. They act as guarantors of the child’s spiritual upbringing. Godparents are spiritual co-parents.

Location

On Site: Determine the location that is most suitable for you.

Oblations

We suggest a donation of  700 CHF or by agreement (plus expenses & voluntary temple donations).

Non-Denominational

The ceremony is non-denominational. Members of all faiths are welcome.

ZEN MONK

Zen Monk Abbot Alain M. Lafon

Brother Alain M. Lafon

I have formally trained for 10 years under the venerable teachers Zen Monk Shō-Kan and Zen Monk Masan Doam. This training included stringent monastic practice, a strict daily meditation routine, conducting monthly 7-day retreats, ceremonies, pilgrimages, study trips to Korea and Japan, as well as co-financing and co-building two Zen Temples lead by my teachers.

Now, this work is complete. As thanks to my teachers and to pay their kindness forward, I have opened Lambda Zen Temple to the public for daily practice. From the deepest heart I bow and thank all my teachers, free from east and west.

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CONTACT US FOR A BAPTISM

Address

Lambda Zen Temple
Zen Monk Abbot Alain M. Lafon
Im Stützli 5
8750 Glarus
Switzerland

Phone: +41 76 405 05 67
(leave a message on the mailbox)

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