Baptism with Zen Monk

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 (see confirmation) is directed at the family, the godparents and the society.

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.

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

Non-Denominational

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

Legislation

"Thou shalt! Thou shalt not!" is none of our business. We are politically and denominationally independent and are subject to the Swiss legislation. Our zen monks and zen nuns give your ceremony a formal and public character and a blessing.

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

In preparation for the ceremony we recommend a short templestay at the Zen Temple.
We will recite the "Logos from the Heart" for your child.
We cut a strand of hair which will be given to you with the logos of the hear 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.
For more specific information regarding duration of the ceremony, schedule, additional texts and speeches, we will gladly discuss it with you personally.
Please note that the number of participants does not matter.

Zen Monk M. Reding

In the year 2015 we opened the gates to the public. After ten years of continuous reexamination of the words and actions of the wise and holy Ones in japanese and south-korean zen monasteries, Zen Monk M. Reding founded, in mutual reliance with the clergy and laity, the Insopor Zen Academy in Switzerland in 2014.

He absolved a pilgrimage through Japan (3000 miles) doing traditional almsround as a way of thanks for the ten-year training as a zen monk.

As founder and head monk he is in charge of the Honora Zen monastery in Reichenburg and the Eremita Zen temple in Einsiedeln.