Saturday, May 2, 2009

What it Means to Honor the Sangha

When we gather together to practice working on ourselves, we recognize the value of the energy created by the group as a whole. We value the support and mutual recognition of what we are attempting to accomplish, without judgment of one another, or showing off some imagined attainments.


When we sit on the cushion and quiet down, we are all equal. In the midst of that equality, a cohesive motivation arises, like Bodhisattvas gathering within the Sacred Incense Cloud, we generate Wisdom, Energy and Compassion. We give and take Refuge in this special Fellowship.


How is it that we know intuitively that this is the place where transformation is possible?

How is it that we understand the value of the sacred space we have created together?


It is the same characteristic that guides us to accept transformation in the first place: Wisdom. What is it that motivates us to act on this Wisdom? It is Compassion. What is the force that propels this great undertaking? It is the Energy of Wisdom and Compassion.


As a beginner, when we set out to practice Buddhism, we may be full of enthusiasm to attain all the wonderful Truths the Buddhist Tradition professes to offer. Yet, when we sit down to look within, all the lifetimes of habitual thought patterns generated by our senses and thinking come rushing back vying for attention, and we wander off into trivial thoughts once again. Discouragement or boredom arises, and we find a reason to leave our cushion prematurely.


When we practice together, standing or sitting, walking or working, it is much easier to not give-in to the temptation to stop quieting down. Out of concern of disturbing our fellow cultivators, we are more likely to stay still, and let trivial thoughts and habitual tendencies pass us by.


As our time together progresses, our innate Wisdom and Compassion becomes more prevalent. As our efforts persist, the space we created together grows proportionately.


Our goal is to increase this wonderful Space to include all Sentient Beings within the sacred Sangha.


We Vow to remain until all Sentient Beings return to Original Buddha Nature.


This acknowledgment honors the Jewel called Sangha.


Amitofo

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