“Creating a Community Sangha”
In Buddhism aside from your physical body, you have a dharma body, a Sangha body, and a Buddha body. It is with gratitude to our practice, these three bodies become more and more obvious and evident. We say that the community you take refuge in is our Sangha body in order to practice engaged Buddhism. This is also your own physical body connecting you to your mind, body, and soul or spirit within. Making our Sangha present in all directions, but the monastic community that currently practicing with you is our closest sangha.
Taking refuge in your community means taking refuge in the Temple Garden Sangha you have created. You can create your own community sangha by inviting like-minded people or animals to follow in the footsteps of Lord Buddha creating a space in your Temple Garden to exchange faiths and share tips on gardening.
Taking refuge in your teacher, your younger brothers and sisters at Plum Village worldwide along with your Elders, following in the footsteps of my teacher Thich Nhat Hanh or “Thay” meaning teacher, I took a vow at three years old to follow the three precious jewels following in the footsteps of “Thay”. One of your aspirations to take refuge in the Temple Garden Sangha has to be wholehearted, whatever happens to the sangha will also happen to you as you are a solid team and grateful person to have such a wonderful Temple garden to invite your family and friends to.
Your main goal is to train to live in harmony with your Temple Garden Sangha, be practicing with the sangha, sharing your time, and work responsibilities. Act as a Sangha body, not as an individual creating faith and insight deeper into the community Sangha you have created with understanding, love, and compassion. There is nothing to fear when you have faith in your teacher, have faith in your community but most importantly have faith in yourself. Engaged Buddhism is not a religion it is a practice honouring animals, plants, minerals, and human life, I as your teacher and mentor, take the time to help you design and create a Sangha based on the principles of Christian Buddhism that have been passed down from over four million years ago. I also help you create your garden with the five elements and spiritual native practices according to the country that you live in. My role as your Elder and teacher is to respect your boundaries and with love become a mentor for you and part of your community, I also open the doors so you can feel my community online with Plum Village and my own remote stationed monastery in the United Kingdom, USA, and Australia.
A lotus love & blessing,
Isabella Rose
Excerpt for the book “Temple Garden Of Love” and diploma training available August 2023