Why does Ashland Zen Center require COVID vaccination?

Zen Buddhist practice is the lifelong development of wisdom and compassion. These qualities are active and dynamic, and we demonstrate wisdom and compassion through what we say and what we do. 

Being vaccinated for COVID-19 demonstrates that we respect the health and well-being of others.  It shows that we are willing to extend our decision-making process beyond our self; to consider how we can reduce our risk of contracting COVID so as to reduce our risk of transmitting the virus to others.

Ashland Zen Center allows an exception to our vaccination requirement for medical reasons, e.g. allergic reaction to vaccination or immunosuppression. We do not consider a negative view of vaccination to be a medical reason.

A monk once asked the ancient Chinese Master Yunmen, "What is the teaching of the whole lifetime of Buddha?" Yunmen replied, "An appropriate response."

Blue Ciff Record, trans. Thomas Cleary