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Solitary Practitioner ???

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 ?

Comments

  • howhow Veteran Veteran
    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.
  • vinlynvinlyn Colorado...for now Veteran
    I think he means physically going to a sangha.

    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.
  • Yes I see your point. Although I am physically unable to meet with a Sangha this site is the next best thing and is available 24hrs a day.
    MaryAnne
  • Check the rhinoceros sutra.
    Possible. Yes. You can be my Sangha. Everyone can be my Dharma. The Buddha awaits us.

    Yeah baby! :clap:
  • 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.
    Bunks
  • edited October 2012
    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
  • "Everything you need for Buddhism is right here", as he indicated my head.
    You need a body as well.
  • sovasova delocalized fractyllic harmonizing Veteran
    Ejou said:

    ... 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
  • Steve108 said:

    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.

    Khaggavisāna-sutta
    http://www.hermitary.com/solitude/rhinoceros.html
    Lee82
  • We are all solitary practitioners, essentially - as well as being social creatures.
    MaryAnne
  • BonsaiDougBonsaiDoug Simply, on the path. Veteran
    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."
    sovaRebeccaSDavid
  • DairyLamaDairyLama Veteran Veteran
    Steve108 said:

    Is it possible to be a solitary practitioner in Buddhism??

    I'm mostly a solitary practitioner these days, but I do also enjoy some Buddhist company from time to time. ;)
  • Buddhism is the last refuge of a recluse.
    lobster
  • genkakugenkaku Northampton, Mass. U.S.A. Veteran
    The difficulty/danger of practicing alone is pride.

    The difficulty/danger of practicing with others is laziness.

    Everything has got its difficulties and dangers.

    Do it anyway.
    vinlynsovaZero
  • ZeroZero Veteran
    Steve108 said:


    Is it possible to be a solitary practitioner in Buddhism??

    Can it be practiced alone ?

    Yes.

    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!
    how
  • DairyLamaDairyLama Veteran Veteran
    music said:

    Buddhism is the last refuge of a recluse.

    There are worse places to seek refuge...
    ;)
  • DavidDavid A human residing in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Ancestral territory of the Erie, Haudenosaunee, Huron-Wendat, Mississauga and Neutral First Nations Veteran
    Welcome to the universal Sangha.



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