Hello Brenda
Whomever owns this message board has reduced my posting allowance to 25 per day, and Topic down to 1 every 48 hours, so I am responding this way.
Abbot Christensen accepted as my qualifications for the Buddhist priesthood many things: My own very in-depth self-directed study of Buddhism that had lasted eight or nine years. Also, my own adeptness in practicing and teaching Zazen meditation, something I had been doing and teaching for nearly three decades at that time. (Now it is over three decades) In addition, my assistance in choosing the books for the curriculum of the Seminary we were forming (and is now a reality), along with my efforts in helping found Hongaku Jodo. It is now a growing and respected Buddhist sect that makes Pure Land Buddhism available to all in plain English rather than Japanese or Chinese, and an avenue of service for those who desire to serve others in the capacity of a sensei.
Namaste,
Nate aka Venerable Lantien Shanfa ("Blue Sky Mind" in Mandarin Chinese)