Charlotte Joko Beck and her Dharma Successors
have established the Ordinary Mind Zen School, whose purpose is set forth in the following statement.
The Ordinary Mind Zen School intends to manifest
and support practice of the Awakened Way, as expressed in the teaching of Charlotte Joko Beck. The School
is composed of Charlotte Joko Beck, her Dharma Successors, and teachers and successors they, as individuals, have
formally authorized. There is no affiliation with other Zen groups or religious denominations; however,
membership in this School does not preclude individual affiliation with other groups. Within the School there
is no heirarchy of Dharma Successors.
The Awakened Way is universal; the medium
and methods of realization vary according to circumstances. Each Dharma Successor in the School may apply diverse
approaches to practice and determine the structure of any organization that s/he may develop to facilitate practice.
The Successors acknowledge that they are ongoing
students, and that the quality of their teaching derives from the quality of their practice. As ongoing
students, teachers are committed to the openness and fluidity of practice, wherein the wisdom of the absolute
may be manifested in/as our life. An important function of this School is the ongoing examination and development
of effective teaching approaches to insure comprehensive practice in all aspects of living.
May the practice of this school manifest wisdom
and compassion, benefitting all beings.
