Katagiri Roshi gave more than one series of lectures on lay ordination; this series is from 1986. The main series is followed by one or more talks where he continued discussing the Buddhist Precepts.

Lay Ordination Lecture 1 of 7: Significance of Ordination
February 22, 1986 Dharma Talk by Dainin Katagiri Roshi

Katagiri Roshi introduces a series of lectures on Jukai, lay ordination. In this first talk, he explains the goal of lay ordination as three points. The first point is realization of the truth, that all beings are Buddha. Second: the profound and steadfast aspiration to live our lives with all beings in peace and harmony. And third: helping all beings. For the first point, realization of the truth, he explains three kinds of knowing: knowledge in the ordinary sense, knowing something in the world of impermanence, and supreme knowledge. This ties into a discussion of what it means to help all beings. The ceremony of lay ordination is an opportunity to realize these three points. Even if we don’t understand them, we can still take action to enter this world of the Buddha.

Lay Ordination Lecture 2 of 7: Three Aspects of Repentance
March 1, 1986 Dharma Talk by Dainin Katagiri Roshi

Katagiri Roshi explains repentance in Buddhism, which is sometimes called formless atonement. Repentance is not a ritual of trying to get forgiveness from someone; rather, repentance is to be present right in the middle of peace and harmony. He describes three aspects or conditions of repentance. The first aspect is that we should realize the world of compassion and heart, to accept and forgive all, without exception. This is to realize “the world prior to germination of any subtle ideas” – which is called Buddha. The second aspect is that we should accept this Buddha’s compassion with readiness; this is sometimes called samadhi, or egolessness. The third aspect is ritual, which is “interacting communion between you and the universe.” To illustrate these points, Katagiri Roshi discusses the role of the doan in Zen, the meaning of the word Shakyamuni in Chinese, and the poem “How To Make A Portrait Of A Bird” by Jacques Prévert.

Lay Ordination Lecture 3 of 7: Triple Treasure, Lecture 1
March 8, 1986 Dharma Talk by Dainin Katagiri Roshi

Taking refuge in the Triple Treasure – buddha, dharma, and sangha – is the foundation of the Buddhist Precepts and Buddhist practice. Buddha is the universe, dharma is the teaching from the universe, and sangha is the community that makes the universe and its teaching alive in their lives. Taking refuge is spiritual communion with Buddha, which is interactive appeal and response with the universe. We need to awaken to the depth of existence, and transmit that awakening to future generations. To do this, we must accept others’ lives as the content of our lives. The nature of prayer and the meaning of legendary Bodhisattvas is also discussed, with reference to the Lotus Sutra. Also, there is some clarification of what ritual means in Buddhism.

Lay Ordination Lecture 4 of 7: Triple Treasure, Lecture 2
March 15, 1986 Dharma Talk by Dainin Katagiri Roshi

The Triple Treasure – buddha, dharma, and sangha – is the sublime goal in life. We must take refuge in the Three Treasures in terms of the whole situation of our lives: intellectual, emotional, and spiritual. To this end, Katagiri Roshi looks at the Three Treasures in terms of philosophical worth, virtue or characteristics, and functioning. The teaching of “The Three Thousand Worlds in a Moment / Thought” from the Lotus Sutra means that there are buddhas and bodhisattvas even in hell, so there are ample opportunities to take refuge. Also: how Gandhi dealt with events and circumstances.

Lay Ordination Lecture 5 of 7: Receiving the Precepts
April 12, 1986 Dharma Talk by Dainin Katagiri Roshi

Summary not yet available.

Lay Ordination Lecture 6 of 7: Three Collective Pure Precepts
April 26, 1986 Dharma Talk by Dainin Katagiri Roshi

Summary not yet available.

Lay Ordination Lecture 7 of 7: Ten Grave Prohibitory Precepts
May 3, 1986 Dharma Talk by Dainin Katagiri Roshi

Summary not yet available.

Turning the Three Poisons into Wheels
June 28, 1986 Dharma Talk by Dainin Katagiri Roshi

Summary not yet available.