Episode 165 - The Jewel of Spiritual Community

Wealth destroys those who lack in wisdom, But not those who seek the beyond. Craving wealth, those lacking wisdom Destroy themselves As well as others. (355)    Weeds are the ruin of fields; Passion is the ruin of people. So offerings to those free of passion Bear great fruit. (356)    Weeds are the ruin of fields; Ill will is the ruin of people. So offerings to those free of ill will Bear great fruit. (357)    Weeds are the ruin of fields; Delusion is the ruin of people. So offerings to those free of delusion Bear great fruit. (358)    Weeds are the ruin of fields; Longing is the ruin of people. So offerings to those free of longing Bear great fruit. (359)   The Sangha is one of the Three Jewels of Buddhism, alongside the Buddha and the Dharma (the teachings of the Buddha). Traditionally, the Sangha is comprised of monastics, spiritual teachers, bodhisattvas and enlightened beings. Taking refuge in the Three Jewels is considered the doorway into Buddhism, the way to become a Buddhist. Even if one has no intention of becoming a Buddhist, refuge in a teacher, the teachings, and a spiritual community is a fundamental step towards simply attaining inner peace. But refuge can be seen as the first step, or realization, toward attaining enlightenment, complete liberation from suffering.   The Sangha plays an important role in Buddhist practice. It provides a supportive community for practitioners to learn from and practice with. So we can say that the people we practice with and the teachers we learn from are part of our Sangha, spiritual community.   The Sangha also creates a field of merit. Merit refers to “good karma.” When you have seen people, perhaps on TV,  visit monasteries and make offerings to monks and nuns, they are making offerings to the field of merit in order to create exceptionally powerful “good karma.” But we can create good karma towards the field of merit in many ways. For example, the Buddha or any Buddhist spiritual teacher, would be so happy for you to practice patience or compassion as an offering. This episode explains many ways we can create good karma towards the field of merit and practical ways to build or strengthen Sangha, a spiritual community, for ourselves.   Wealth destroys those who lack in wisdom, But not those who seek the beyond. Craving wealth, those lacking wisdom Destroy themselves As well as others. (355)    Weeds are the ruin of fields; Passion is the ruin of people. So offerings to those free of passion Bear great fruit. (356)    Weeds are the ruin of fields; Ill will is the ruin of people. So offerings to those free of ill will Bear great fruit. (357)    Weeds are the ruin of fields; Delusion is the ruin of people. So offerings to those free of delusion Bear great fruit. (358)    Weeds are the ruin of fields; Longing is the ruin of people. So offerings to those free of longing Bear great fruit. (359) --Buddha, The Dhammapada References and Links   Buddha.The Dhammapada. Translated by Gil Fronsdale. (Kindle). Shambala, Boston and London, 2011. (Link)   Find us at the links below:    Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Buddhismforeveryone Facebook Group:Join our private group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sanghatalk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buddhism.with.joann.fox