The fundamental elements of our Soto Zen practice are meditation and living by the Buddhist Precepts. After someone has been training in our tradition for a while, they may wish to deepen their commitment. They can express this formally by taking the Precepts (receiving lay ordination) and thereby becoming a Buddhist.
There are two options for doing this. Traditionally, they would attend the week-long Jukai retreat at Throssel Hole Buddhist Abbey, which is held each year. Besides being a meditation retreat, Jukai includes five beautiful ceremonies that illustrate different aspects of making the Precepts our life. For anybody who is unable to attend the Jukai retreat, the lay ordination ceremony can be carried out at the Norwich Priory.
As a first step, anybody who is interested in taking the Precepts can discuss this with the Prior.