The Order of the Lotus Blossom (OLB) is a Zen Buddhist Brother- and Sisterhood. It consists of both lay and ordained members, who live a monastic life style. The Order and adjacent seminary school were founded by Ven. Fajian Shakya to extend the Lincoln Lotus Temple community beyond its local parameters.  The main purpose is to serve society and its respective communities by manifesting the Dharma. Lotus Blossom members commit to daily practice of zazen and Buddhist devotion.  By consistent spiritual practice they realize the benefit and enrichment of  Dharma identification in their lives. All Dharma brothers and sisters hold to the ten Zen Buddhist Precepts along with the three Jewels and the Bodhisattva vows as ethical guides for living. They intensify their daily Zen practice and realization under the guidance of the Order and its superiors.

The Lotus Blossom

The Lotus blossom symbolizes the causality of spiritual life.

Rising up from the mud of the swamp (the physical world, the body), growing through its murky waters (the world of sensory desire and emotions), penetrating the air (the mental world of thoughts and ideas) and aspiring to the light of the sun (the spiritual illumination, the Dharma) — the Lotus blossoms into a pure white flower.

The Lotus blossom symbolizes the inseparability of the cause and effect, provision and reality, as well as the source and manifestation of enlightenment.

Dharma often is not easy to express. Thus, the illustration of the Lotus blossom is put forth to make it easier to understand.

The Precepts

of the Zen Buddhist Order of the Lotus Blossom

The Three Refuges

• I take refuge in Buddha 

          [I take refuge in Enlightenment]

• I take refuge in Dharma 

          [I take refuge in the Way to Enlightenment]

• I take refuge in Sangha 

          [I take refuge in the Community of Enlightenment]

The Three Pure Precepts

• I vow to do no harm

• I vow to do good
• I vow to live for the benefit all beings

The Ten Precepts

1) As a follower of the Way I not kill, but rather cultivate and encourage life.

2) As a follower of the Way I do not take what is not given, but rather cultivate and encourage generosity.

3) As a follower of the Way I do not misuse sexuality, but rather cultivate and encourage open, honest and acceptable relationships.

4) As a follower of the Way I do not lie, but rather cultivate and encourage truthful communication.

5) As a follower of the Way I do not intoxicate myself or others, but rather cultivate and encourage clarity.

6) As a follower of the Way I do not slander, but rather cultivate and encourage respectful speech.

7) As a follower of the Way neither do I extol myself nor do I demean others, but rather cultivate awareness of the interdependent nature of self.

8) As a follower of the Way I do not attach to anything, even the teaching, but rather cultivate mutual support and share the dharma with all beings.

9) As a follower of the Way I do not harbor ill will, but rather cultivate loving-kindness, understanding and forgiveness.

10) As a follower of the Way I do not turn away from the Three Refuges, but rather cultivate and encourage taking refuge in them.