Difference between revisions of "About the Sangha"
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The [[Sangha]] is the group of [[people]] who, having heard the teachings of the [[Buddha]] and touched by their [[power]], have decided to dedicate their [[lives]] to [[attaining]] [[liberation]]. Within the [[Tibetan tradition]], this includes dedicating one's [[life]] to the [[liberation]] of all the [[beings]] [[suffering]] in cyclic [[existence]] ([[samsara]]). This is known as the [[path]] of the [[Bodhisattva]]. | The [[Sangha]] is the group of [[people]] who, having heard the teachings of the [[Buddha]] and touched by their [[power]], have decided to dedicate their [[lives]] to [[attaining]] [[liberation]]. Within the [[Tibetan tradition]], this includes dedicating one's [[life]] to the [[liberation]] of all the [[beings]] [[suffering]] in cyclic [[existence]] ([[samsara]]). This is known as the [[path]] of the [[Bodhisattva]]. | ||
| − | [[Sangha]] is a [[sanskrit]] [[word]] which literally means "group." Early [[Tibetan]] translators translated the term as dge'dun. Dge means "[[virtue]]" and dun means "[[motivation]]" or "attitute." So [[Sangha]] can mean "A [[gathering]] with [[virtuous]] [[motivation]]." The [[ultimate]] [[Sangha]] is "the persons, lay or [[ordained]], who have [[realized]] [[emptiness]]." The [[relative]] [[Sangha]] can either be a group of fully-ordained [[monks]] and/or [[nuns]], {{Wiki|male}} or {{Wiki|female}} novices, lay practitioners, and those with temporary [[vows]]. Practitioners frequently call the group they are studying with their [[Sangha]] as these are the friends that are accompanying them on the [[path]] to [[liberation]]. | + | [[Sangha]] is a [[sanskrit]] [[word]] which literally means "group." Early [[Tibetan]] [[translators]] translated the term as dge'dun. Dge means "[[virtue]]" and dun means "[[motivation]]" or "attitute." So [[Sangha]] can mean "A [[gathering]] with [[virtuous]] [[motivation]]." The [[ultimate]] [[Sangha]] is "the persons, lay or [[ordained]], who have [[realized]] [[emptiness]]." The [[relative]] [[Sangha]] can either be a group of fully-ordained [[monks]] and/or [[nuns]], {{Wiki|male}} or {{Wiki|female}} novices, lay practitioners, and those with temporary [[vows]]. Practitioners frequently call the group they are studying with their [[Sangha]] as these are the friends that are accompanying them on the [[path]] to [[liberation]]. |
| − | According to the [[Vajrayana]] teachings, even those living [[lives]] of great [[wealth]] and {{Wiki|luxury}} can overcome these {{Wiki|powerful}} distractions and attain [[enlightenment]]. This is possible with the {{Wiki|benefit}} of the teachings and the guidance of a [[teacher]]. Therefore it is not a requirement to take the [[vows]] of a [[monk]] or [[nun]] to achieve {{Wiki|transcendence}}. | + | According to the [[Vajrayana]] teachings, even those living [[lives]] of great [[wealth]] and {{Wiki|luxury}} can overcome these {{Wiki|powerful}} {{Wiki|distractions}} and attain [[enlightenment]]. This is possible with the {{Wiki|benefit}} of the teachings and the guidance of a [[teacher]]. Therefore it is not a requirement to take the [[vows]] of a [[monk]] or [[nun]] to achieve {{Wiki|transcendence}}. |
| − | Each category of [[Sangha]] are considered to be [[worthy]] as a focus of devotion and [[refuge]]. This is because the [[Sangha]], dedicated as they are to the [[liberation]] of all [[sentient beings]] and with their commitment to follow the [[path]], help to [[form]] a bridge between the {{Wiki|confusion}} of daily [[life]] and [[enlightenment]]. The [[Sangha]], much like the texts, the [[teacher]], and so on, provide a support to the study and practice of the teachings of the [[Buddha]]. When they hold purely the teachings and [[lineage]] of their [[teacher]], the [[Sangha]] itself holds the [[power]] to remove the [[suffering]] of [[beings]]. Wherever a [[Sangha]] can be found, the teachings are alive and the [[Buddha's]] presence can be felt. | + | Each category of [[Sangha]] are considered to be [[worthy]] as a focus of [[devotion]] and [[refuge]]. This is because the [[Sangha]], dedicated as they are to the [[liberation]] of all [[sentient beings]] and with their commitment to follow the [[path]], help to [[form]] a bridge between the {{Wiki|confusion}} of daily [[life]] and [[enlightenment]]. The [[Sangha]], much like the texts, the [[teacher]], and so on, provide a support to the study and [[practice]] of the teachings of the [[Buddha]]. When they hold purely the teachings and [[lineage]] of their [[teacher]], the [[Sangha]] itself holds the [[power]] to remove the [[suffering]] of [[beings]]. Wherever a [[Sangha]] can be found, the teachings are alive and the [[Buddha's]] presence can be felt. |
Revision as of 18:22, 8 March 2015
The Sangha is the group of people who, having heard the teachings of the Buddha and touched by their power, have decided to dedicate their lives to attaining liberation. Within the Tibetan tradition, this includes dedicating one's life to the liberation of all the beings suffering in cyclic existence (samsara). This is known as the path of the Bodhisattva.
Sangha is a sanskrit word which literally means "group." Early Tibetan translators translated the term as dge'dun. Dge means "virtue" and dun means "motivation" or "attitute." So Sangha can mean "A gathering with virtuous motivation." The ultimate Sangha is "the persons, lay or ordained, who have realized emptiness." The relative Sangha can either be a group of fully-ordained monks and/or nuns, male or female novices, lay practitioners, and those with temporary vows. Practitioners frequently call the group they are studying with their Sangha as these are the friends that are accompanying them on the path to liberation.
According to the Vajrayana teachings, even those living lives of great wealth and luxury can overcome these powerful distractions and attain enlightenment. This is possible with the benefit of the teachings and the guidance of a teacher. Therefore it is not a requirement to take the vows of a monk or nun to achieve transcendence.
Each category of Sangha are considered to be worthy as a focus of devotion and refuge. This is because the Sangha, dedicated as they are to the liberation of all sentient beings and with their commitment to follow the path, help to form a bridge between the confusion of daily life and enlightenment. The Sangha, much like the texts, the teacher, and so on, provide a support to the study and practice of the teachings of the Buddha. When they hold purely the teachings and lineage of their teacher, the Sangha itself holds the power to remove the suffering of beings. Wherever a Sangha can be found, the teachings are alive and the Buddha's presence can be felt.
