The individual as sangha
In our daily lives, the family, the sangha, the workplace are the laboratories of intimacy. In our dojo even etymology can be one of our teachers. It is interesting to note that the suffix meaning "monk" in Japanese is so, which means sangha. It is used in the compound Zenso, "Zen Monk." The individual monk is the sangha, and the same is true for each of us. The individual student is the Sangha Treasure, and though as laywomen and laymen we have other identities, as students of Zen Buddhism it becomes clear that we are the constituents of one body that is beyond any sectarian designation.
It is easy to forget the penetrating truths of Chao-chou and Hsiang-lin. It is easy to forget how they include us in their wisdom, how we include them and indeed all beings. We fall into gossip. We triangulate, divide off into exclusive subgroups, or just forget to say hello. Sometimes severe misunderstandings burst forth and people pick up and leave in anger. If we can't get along in our little practice center, how can we expect global society to make it?
- Robert Aitken Roshi, Original Dwelling Place.
No comments:
Post a Comment