Now often referent to any community of those who learn and practice the Dharma, the Sangha once referred only to monastic practitioners. Some voice the opinion that only those enclosed within a monastery can practice sufficiently and correctly, whereas others regard practice possible amidst laity. Another viewpoint in terms of who can and cannot be included as Sangha is to include those that have mastered spiritual attainment to a certain standard, for example Sotapanna.
The majority of Western practitioners prefer to connect with a specific teacher, temple, monastery, or leader. The other followers or community involved often become known as their Sangha.
My own Sangha is somewhat unusual. I am connected to a best friend who led my interest towards Buddhism originally, several online Buddhist groups and the practitioners within these, the teachings from the teachers in the books that I read - although not given to me in person - these come mostly from qualified teachers of Buddhism. Additionally, through downloaded lessons, the teachers from ACI are also a connection loosely labeled Sangha.
I also claim the birds and bugs as my Sangha, as they have greatly assisted me with the practice of compassion, equanimity and equality, acceptance, and the understanding that EVERY living being seeks similar needs and wants from its life.
2 comments:
Now I feel bad for destroying that garden slug :( Buddhist theory is beyond my scope of understanding but I appreciate what you were wrote in this post.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment though. Those peaches at your supermarket are most likely the same family, they just have get a different name depending on where they are grown. :-)
I am sure many people overlook the fact that people are not the only living beings, not just you and the slug!
If you ever want to have Buddhism simplified, the Dalai Lama writes many books directed to everyday Western readers who are unaware of Buddhist philosophy. Most library's will have some.
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