Local Sanghas/Temples

[Doshin]

James,

My life experience says this is good advice for all of life. Trust but Verify,

Gassho
Doshin
St

[Tokan]

Hey Tamber

I listen to and read the teachings of a variety of buddhist teachers. I see them as leaves on one tree, but I have chosen to focus on treeleaf, and as Jundo as a teacher, much as one would watch a single leaf as it fell from the tree. It is hard to run along a trail when you are following another trail with your eyes - bound to fall over and bruise your knees! Although I pay attention to the voluminous teachings of many teachers I know that an incisive comment alone can break through delusion just as well (if not better) than a whole book. The buddha told Ananda that the whole of the holy life is spiritual friendship, and that is my benchmark. Be at peace wherever you sit

STLAH, Leon


Upaddha Sutta: Half (of the Holy Life)
translated from the Pali by
Thanissaro Bhikkhu

I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was living among the Sakyans. Now there is a Sakyan town named Sakkara. There Ven. Ananda went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to the Blessed One, sat to one side. As he was sitting there, Ven. Ananda said to the Blessed One, "This is half of the holy life, lord: admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie."[1]

"Don't say that, Ananda. Don't say that. Admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie is actually the whole of the holy life. When a monk has admirable people as friends, companions, & comrades, he can be expected to develop & pursue the noble eightfold path.

[Meian]

I was a member of a local non-sectarian sangha for a while. They have different teachers come and lead meditations, different branches (Tibetan, Theravada, Zen, etc.). They are peer-led, all volunteer, which is fine. It changed hands last fall when a new president and board was elected, and things took a bit of a turn -- that happens. Change is life, life is change.

TreeLeaf is highly unique in that it is always evolving, yet it manages to maintain a certain homeostasis and equanimity that allows it not to lose its core values and atmosphere. Perhaps that's the benefit of being an online sangha and being so wonderfully open to technology -- like water, we can mold ourselves around changes and available resources to ride out the rhythm and flows of life around and within us.

I was not able to remain a member of my local sangha, due to my health being as mercurial as it is, their schedule and their needs, and our inabilities to meet in the middle. I did try, but ..... it is what it is. I have accepted that. I'm not sure they have.

TreeLeaf has been and continues to be the most welcoming, compassionate, and understanding community I have ever experienced. And I say that having studied and known people from all major religions (and some smaller religions) of the world.

gassho
kim
st/lh