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Looking

edited October 2005 in Sanghas
Dawn and I both would really like to find a local Sangha. So far we have had no luck. Most of the people we have been in touch with don't seem open for new members. Is this common? Do we really need a Sangha? Does anyone know of a Sangha in North Carolina?

Comments

  • BrianBrian Detroit, MI Moderator
    edited October 2005
    No, that sounds terribly unreasonable and uncommon. No proper sangha would ever turn away anybody - it goes against exactly what the sangha's purpose is.

    I personally don't believe you 'need' to find one. I have found that buddhist temples are more places to feel a part of something and be a part of a culture than to provide any real advancement along the path. The true advancement along the path comes from within. I'm not discounting the sangha by any means - it is one of the three refuges, and it is very important for us to have that support, but I think you can define a sangha outside the 'box' of the temple.

    Like this site, for example :D
  • buddhafootbuddhafoot Veteran
    edited October 2005
    I (think I) agree with Brian.

    Although finding a sangha to be a part of would be great - but along with a sangha comes all the other "human" baggage of an organization.

    Being that Buddhism is relatively new to you - I think I would research various forms of Buddhism. I believe you will have to find a sangha in town that teaches what you believe. The form of Buddhism that you're following may all of a sudden contradict the form of Buddhism you're "joining" and then what do you do? Tell these people that you think they're wrong?
    And if you join the only "sangha" in town - then are you going to be spending your time listening to the teachings and thinking, "oh yeah, I agree with that" or "nope... don't agree with that" - and then where does that get you? You're really not learning anything at all - just spending your time accepting "this" or rejecting "that. And we all know that is not how your learn. Imagine doing that in school when we were learning to read or learning math.

    So... what have I told you? I've just given you two views that don't amount to a hill of beans.

    There are very simply teachings of Buddha that can be learned by the most unlearned person. The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path have given me years of things to work on all by myself.

    Good luck in your quest.

    -bf
  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    edited October 2005
    If I must come in with a comment (and I must, I must!) it is to sound a little sycophantic and third the motion....
    I live in an extremely remote and isolated corner of France. There are very few Sanghas in this part of the world, but further down south there is Plum Village, courtesy of Thich Naht Hanh, and a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery about three hours from there. 'Down South' for me entails a seven-hour drive, or a tortuous journey by train involving four changes....
    So I'm kind of limited too, But what BF says goes for me too. Life is a Sangha. And a far more instructive, real and stimulating one than I could ever imagine.
    Sure, it would be wonderful to be cloaked in a spiritual atmosphere, and to participate, and 'partake of the Essence of what it is I seek'.... But I can evoke this for myself, if I just release my heart and accept the Bliss of the Moment....
  • SimonthepilgrimSimonthepilgrim Veteran
    edited October 2005
    I was going to write some wise and eloquent :crazy: words about the Third Jewel of Refuge.

    And then I realised that I sometimes yearn for the companionship of community, the sense of being with people of like mind and heart. It doesn't last for long: it is a mental formation arising out of other feelings which I can name and which are, themselves, made up of components.

    Truth is, I like and value this community of pilgrims, searchers, meditators, loonies, cooks, artists, stranger/friends above any pious bunch of "co-religionaries".
  • ajani_mgoajani_mgo Veteran
    edited October 2005
    Follow your own path, we all got different feet! Anyway what do you call the other four beside the toe? Toners?
  • edited October 2005

    Truth is, I like and value this community of pilgrims, searchers, meditators, loonies, cooks, artists, stranger/friends above any pious bunch of "co-religionaries".

    Would I be considered one of the "loonies"? :)

    I agree with everyone else...although it would be nice to find a local temple, and I will probably do so in the near future, I don't feel that is is necessary. But if that's what feels right to you, then go for it!
  • edited October 2005
    This all makes wonderful sense and I appreciate everyone's words of advice. Mike and I both have just been doing a lot of reading lately from different authors on buddhism, such as Steve Hagen, Stephen Batchelor and Thich Naht Hanh. This really seems to help me understand quite a lot. I do think it's the urge to be with other people who share your same thoughts and views that appeal to me and Mike both. I fully agree with the fact that we don't really need this and it's just another form of humanism to me. This of course is just my opinion. We don't get to check in here as often as we like but we both enjoy coming online and talking to everyone and checking out what's new in everyone's life! I know we're going to have some questions along the way, and sometimes we can't really help each other out with them so that's when this site comes in handy for us.:bigclap:

    Well thanks once again for all the support.
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