OneSangha

So everyone has to have the same view? That is impossible. Buddhism teaches that you take care of your own rice bowl. That is what the Buddha taught. I can not take care of yours or anyone else. I said you are not a noun. “Buddhist”. If you think you are, fine. I do not [...]

Chana, it seems you’re practicing something different than everyone else here. Maybe you say it is real Buddhism or maybe you call it something else. In any case, I do not feel you are in a position to tell anyone with any authority that what they are doing is not Buddhist or Buddhism. You said [...]

Hi Channa, You wrote: “Hi Keith, you say “I don’t know what to say…the words above reflect exactly my point. They are all just incorrect generalizations and negative stereotyping and really just reflect a profound misunderstanding of the Dharma.” Could you explain the true Dharma to me/us? By your reply you seem to know, without [...]

Hi Catherine, You sound like a very sincere person, and a true seeker of truth. you said in your post….”I’m not claiming any perfection here. Actually, let me give an example of my own ineptitude: There’s one guy in our order who often strikes me as striking a pretty authoritarian note. He’s higher ranked than [...]

Your hopes are fulfilled, I am living up to what I have said. No one is a “Buddhist”. That like calling yourself a “car” or an “apple”. You might be trying to practice what you think is Buddhist religion, or psychology, or philosophy, but not a “Buddhist”. Why limit yourself to a label? I guess [...]

I liked the article and its generally welcoming tone. But I feel like the comments here are wandering a bit into an unnecessary dichotomy. I know a lot of people have out of, or been exposed to, environments in which there is a clergy laiety separation in which there is a small group of people [...]

Well, you seem to understand me, what I’m doing, and Buddhism better than I do, at least in your opinion. I reject the dichotomies you offer above or your requirement to have no teachers, no family, no anything in order to be a Buddhist who isn’t a “wannabe” or “faking” it. I think that your [...]

Hi Al, I have been in many religious groups. I do not think i am biased. I think i am being realistic. And as I posted there is some benefit to being involved in religious institutions, as the Buddha said. Wondering about where Buddhism would be without the myriads of sects/schools of Buddhism, is entirely [...]

Hi Keith, you say “I don’t know what to say…the words above reflect exactly my point. They are all just incorrect generalizations and negative stereotyping and really just reflect a profound misunderstanding of the Dharma.” Could you explain the true Dharma to me/us? By your reply you seem to know, without generalizations. I would love [...]

Hi Channa, You wrote: “I find that that they can be stifling, self-limiting, and even repressive. Especially religious institutions. They limit one’s choices, and activities usually. They guide groups of people rather than responding intimately by a case to case basis. This is not always true, but the bigger the institution the more true this [...]

Chana, I think that you have a negative bias towards organizations based on your speech here. It sounds like you think that there is no good at all in a religious institution (though I would wonder where our Buddhism would be today without institutions and monastics passing it on during the last 2,500 years). Do [...]

Hi Keith, you say “Whenever there is an organization, there will be folks who want to destroy it.” Of course this is not true. Many people enjoy the organizations and institutions they are involved in. I find that that they can be stifling, self-limiting, and even repressive. Especially religious institutions. They limit one’s choices, and [...]

Hi Al, In response to your question “Why do you hope that this is a trend? ” Well, i actually think it is the trend. And I like it. Instead of believing you need to hook up with some ”organized” religious group, be it Zen, Tibetan, Hindu, Christian, etc…., ”be a lamp unto yourself.” I [...]

See, I don’t even get out of bed until 8:00 or 8:15 and leave for work between 8:30 and 8:45 when I have to go to the office (two days a week). I’m a night person, not going to sleep until 12:30 or 1:00. I’ve tried to move towards morning practice but it just doesn’t [...]

Hi Catherine, It’s a great way to start the day and I always feel better when I get up and do it. I get up 5:45 to get ready for work, but it would be easy enough to get up an hour early. Sometimes I make that happen…most times not. But, no I don’t think [...]

Why do you think it should be a morning practice? I seem to be a morning person – much to the despair of my mother, who was perplexed when coming to down find me watching the trees, lake and mountains out of our livingroom window every morning when I was about four. A lot of [...]

Nice post…I think the time spent practicing is just something that evolves. One thing I hear from people with a consistent practice is that when they don’t feel like practicing, they find themselves on the cushion anyway. If there is a will, there is way. I don’t think it can be forced. One thing I [...]

Whenever there is an organization, there will be folks who want to destroy it. Just human nature, I suppose. There are all sorts of imagined evils and some real ones, from time to time. I don’t understand it really. If someone doesn’t want to practice in an organized, traditional group, they are free not to [...]