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Is it possible to be a solitary practitioner in Buddhism?? Some like myself experience a great difficulty in joining a Sangha due to location or work commitments, Can it be practiced alone ?
Why would your work commitments prevent you from contacting a Sangha? Why would location limit you? Is this site not a Sangha? Perhaps the difficulties you mention are something to question. & I think to really practise is to see there is no such thing as alone.
Can it be done in a solitary way? When Budda attained enlightenment, it was a solitary activity. So, yes.
I think attempting to go to a "physical" sangha, at least occasionally, is very desirable. But as one monk in Thailand told me, "Everything you need for Buddhism is right here", as he indicated my head.
There's quite a few cases where I remember the buddha actually recommending being a solitary practitioner. If I run across them I'll post them here. I think that absolutely you can practice fully without a sangha. I think ideally it's best to have both practice with a support structure, and also completely independently.
I think you can be solitary and still be a full Buddhist, but like others say it's good to at least hear talks on-line, or have at least an e-mail relationship with a teacher of the dharma. We have several members of our Sangha that are "long-distance" members. There are very few Nichiren-Shu temples, and so thank goodness for the internet. I'm fairly separated from my Sangha right now. It takes three hours to get to the temple... the closest Buddhists are Tendai and 45 mins away, and I go there sometimes to listen to dharma talks. It really helps keep me motivated to practice, and keeps me from getting angry at being taken to church. lol
... I'm fairly separated from my Sangha right now. It takes three hours to get to the temple... the closest Buddhists are Tendai and 45 mins away, and I go there sometimes to listen to dharma talks. It really helps keep me motivated to practice, and keeps me from getting angry at being taken to church. lol
LOL =D similar strides in experience! awesome *high five*
@Steve108 yes I think so, of course! with a spirit and will to the Truth you have every being with you in your heart
Is it possible to be a solitary practitioner in Buddhism?? Some like myself experience a great difficulty in joining a Sangha due to location or work commitments, Can it be practiced alone ?
Of course. Many of us started out that way, some still practice that way. There are no requirements.
60. Leaving behind son and wife, and father and mother, and wealth and grain, and relatives, and sensual pleasures to the full extent, one should wander solitary as a rhinoceros. 62. Having torn one’s fetters asunder, like a fish breaking a net in the water, not returning, like a fire (not going back) to what is (already) burned, one should wander solitary as a rhinoceros. 64. Having discarded the marks of a householder, like a coral tree whose leaves have fallen, having gone out (from the house) wearing the saffron robe, one should wander alone like a rhinocerous.
One of my favorite Dalai Lama quotes: "People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they’re not on your road doesn’t mean they’ve gotten lost."
DavidA human residing in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Ancestral territory of the Erie, Haudenosaunee, Huron-Wendat, Mississauga and Neutral First NationsVeteran
Comments
Why would location limit you? Is this site not a Sangha?
Perhaps the difficulties you mention are something to question.
&
I think to really practise is to see there is no such thing as alone.
Can it be done in a solitary way? When Budda attained enlightenment, it was a solitary activity. So, yes.
I think attempting to go to a "physical" sangha, at least occasionally, is very desirable. But as one monk in Thailand told me, "Everything you need for Buddhism is right here", as he indicated my head.
Possible. Yes. You can be my Sangha. Everyone can be my Dharma. The Buddha awaits us.
Yeah baby! :clap:
I think that absolutely you can practice fully without a sangha. I think ideally it's best to have both practice with a support structure, and also completely independently.
You need a body as well.
@Steve108
yes I think so, of course! with a spirit and will to the Truth you have every being with you in your heart
62. Having torn one’s fetters asunder, like a fish breaking a net in the water, not returning, like a fire (not going back) to what is (already) burned, one should wander solitary as a rhinoceros.
64. Having discarded the marks of a householder, like a coral tree whose leaves have fallen, having gone out (from the house) wearing the saffron robe, one should wander alone like a rhinocerous.
Khaggavisāna-sutta
http://www.hermitary.com/solitude/rhinoceros.html
"People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they’re not on your road doesn’t mean they’ve gotten lost."
The difficulty/danger of practicing with others is laziness.
Everything has got its difficulties and dangers.
Do it anyway.
As you are able to live alone, you are also able to practice alone.
There are many things we are able to do - whether we do them or not is another matter!
Do what is suitable for you - that will change too!