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Solitary v. group practice
DairyLama
Veteran Veteran
I have contact with other Buddhists and value that greatly, but mostly I am solitary practitioner. I find it distracting to meditate with other people, and find it much easier to maintain mindfulness when I'm by myself.
What's your preference?
Anti-social Porpoise
What's your preference?
Anti-social Porpoise
0
Comments
There no shortage of distractions.;)
P
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Learning, contemplating, and meditating are the three skills that we have to employ as practitioners.
For me learning, and contemplating are greatly enhanced by sangha.
I usually do the meditating on my own.
Sangha is important, you dont have to practice with them all the time but ones understanding of the teachings will be hugely enhanced by interacting with other practitioners and teachers.
This is a good point.
Its like many other disciplines. The presence and influence of others can be a great motivator.
Yep sounds like good advice. At least till you are experienced
Just as someone will avoid groups because he believe the distractions would be detrimental, If you believe you cannot do it by yourself without the group, it is the exact same problem.
It's good to do retreat sometimes, to learn that we can do it, we can sit for long periods of time, several times a day.
It would seem that the middle way (at least a little bit with groups sometimes if you like to practice alone, and at least a little bit alone if you prefer to do with a group) would be the best practice.
I find both practices complement each other very well both have different challenges, and different benefits to my effort in learning to be mindful and live in the present moment.
You are that noble solitary elephant Pat, walking the path. May I sit at your knee?
If you live in the sangha, I don't think this would be a problem.
Beside, I don't believe that someone who live a monastic life always meditate with others, there must be time when they meditate by themselves, in their room, in the park etc... sure, you can come by and meditate with us, but there will be my wife, my dogs and my cat tho... not exactly solitary but whatever you want to call me i'm fine with it.
If you have a weiner dog , it's on.
That's a good point. Solitary practice does require quite a lot of self-discipline.
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Yes, it can be, but does this make us dependent on other peoples' motivation?
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wow OK. If you say so...
Maybe there are people who have been instructed that the third jewel refers to the noble enlightened disciples not every ordained monk in a robe.
I'm just saying. :cool:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/bullitt/bfaq.html#sangha
the sangha is either the community of monastics, or the community of those who have attained the first step of awakening. That's something different from "practice community." So someone taking refuge may be taking refuge in a community that they are not actually a part of of.
For what it's worth, this was never a significant factor in sticking to the practice, in my case.
Luckily one of the groups I sit with has monks that sit with us too, so I'm covered! The rest of you guys are screwed, sorry!
The Sangha that a Buddhist takes refuge in is the community of Noble Ones who have led exemplary lives and attained extraordinary insight into the true nature of things. Their lives and achievements show others that it is possible to progress on the path to Enlightenment.
However, the Sangha also generally refers to the fourfold community of monks, nuns, men and women lay followers.
Thing is there are some folks in robes who are not worthy of being called a jewel
Wth happened to your face? 0.0
You wanna come down and fix it for me? HAHA
This is not what I have been taught. Sangha are those who have taken refuge, ordained and lay, who are walking the path together. Level of attainment is not a factor, it includes all. I am sangha, My friends both lay and ordained are Sangha. No one is "outside". The outpatient model of Buddhist laity is Bullshit.
Every one is different, but those of us who take refuge in sangha benefit.
I think the sangha in the Buddha's days could have been the ones who were attained but since we cannot really differentiate in that way nowadays, taking that sangha means the buddhist disciples seems fine
Taking the precepts, Bodhisattva vows, and receiving a Dharma name in Zen surely makes you Sangha.
These definitions don't count for much maybe except for the "in" vs. "out" mindset that can be seen in some Theravdin lay practitioners. They regard the monastics as the real deal, and they as just wannabes, second tier, or "that much" removed from the dharma. They can honor the Dharma but must defer to the monks who own it. This attitude may suit traditional monastic economies fine, but it has no basis is beyond that. It is social place knowing. Thats a judgment on my part, but I'll stand by it.
That's the way I look at it. Fellow Buddhists.
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Me too.
P
Both in the dojo and at the gym, you are part of a community that works towards the same goal. Many people find that beneficial and encouraging. Occasionally you even learn something new. Others are quite happy and capable of maintaining a solitary exercise or meditation regime. They prefer the privacy of their home.
I think either is fine. It depends on what suits you better.
I rarely join communities or retreats, mostly because they are geared to Thai people. There is the occasional merit ceremony (tambun), the occasional dhamma talk, and the occasional retreat.
Cheers, Thomas
i agree with you here. As I said, the third gem could have possibly been referred to the Buddha's disciples like sariputta, moggallana (the enlightened ones) during his days but since we cannot make such a differentiation based on the level of attainments nowadays, it makes sense to consider the entire community of Buddhist monks and lay followers as sangha if one feels so. There are also certain communities who differentiate the two as sangha and lay followers... It really is not that big of a deal anyway
Really though, having a community of support that sees the notions of the Dharma and the Buddha is a jewel, expressly defined or not. We have the opportunity to support others who are in need, and be supported by others when we are in need.
What's going on?
Peace.
Very true.:)
P