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Contributing Topics for the Retreat
During the three-month Rains Retreat at Deer Park, the sangha practiced many Dharma doors such as chanting “Homage to the Tathagata,” walking meditation, beginning anew, and observing the precepts. At the same time, we came together to discuss the urgent needs of the sangha: from building brotherhood and collective energy of practice, to strengthening the inner resources of each individual through the island within and the mind of Bodhi. As the sangha grows in number, it is necessary to balance simplicity in daily life with a level of organization clear enough to maintain the precepts, communication, and effective implementation of collective decisions.
The topics of learning and practice most emphasized by the sangha include:
- Developing the capacity for collective organization to sustain trust and shared energy (thematic meetings, mindfulness record-keeping, archiving and following up on decisions)
- Nurturing brotherhood in daily life: meeting, sharing, playing, supporting one another, maintaining a gentle spirit and openness
- Arranging classes in Dharma, Vinaya, and practice appropriate to the level of novices and bhikshus, helping both Western and Vietnamese young people to take deeper root in the Way
- Preserving the roots of tradition (precepts, simple living) while applying progressive elements to suit the Western context without losing our identity
- Supporting members who are suffering, discouraged, or unstable in their practice by encouraging dialogue, caring for the island within, and providing clear direction through a guiding teacher.
