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Love Without Discrimination and Ideals
A “full member of the monastic Sangha” is someone who participates in all activities such as monastic days, going to Hermitage, retreats, serving as a Dharma teacher, or upholding the Bhikshu or novice precepts; who enjoys all the rights and is cared for by the Sangha in times of difficulty. To maintain this status, it is necessary to:
- Fully participate in Sangha activities (reciting the precepts, renewing the precepts, serving the Sangha) for at least 15 days.
- For any work or travel, there must be a representative of the Sangha.
When one leaves the Sangha, even if still wearing the monastic robe, one loses the status of full member and is only welcomed as a guest for a limited time (for example, one week or ten days).
Love and brotherhood in the Sangha need to be nourished diligently, avoiding private attachments. Romantic love is often like “straw fire,” burning quickly and then dying out, while friendship and brotherhood, if cared for, will endure and nourish the heart throughout one’s life. For example:
- The Summer Retreat at Plum Village had more than 5,000 people, including 500 children, who experienced deep transformation;
- In Canada, more than 1,300 people registered, but nearly 700 could not be accepted due to organizational limits.
To maintain the “bodhi mind” and the lifelong aspiration of practice, it is necessary to practice letting go (upekkha), to expand our love to embrace everyone, to offer each other space and time to transform suffering, thereby nurturing brotherhood and perseverance on the monastic path.
