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Monastics DT1
Mindfulness is the Buddha, the breath is the Dharma, and the Sangha is the five skandhas—form, feelings, perceptions, mental formations, and consciousness—working in harmony to nourish and heal body and mind. Each mindful step and each mindful breath is a method of healing, not a blind belief: whether driving, walking, or chanting in rhythm with the ticking sound, if practiced correctly, you will experience the protective and harmonizing effect on the five skandhas. An example of mindful breathing:
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Begin with breathing in for 3 seconds, breathing out for 5 seconds, synchronized with your steps (3 steps in, 5 steps out) or with the ticking sound.
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Gradually increase to pairs such as 4–6, 5–8, 6–9 seconds, even up to 12–18 seconds (2 breaths per minute), depending on the ease and joy in each breath.
Building the Sangha is the key to realizing the dream of Bodhicitta. Each practice center needs at least 125 monastics to maintain the energy of transformation during large retreats—this number is currently lacking in Hong Kong, Germany, Magnolia, Deer Park, Blue Cliff, and the nursery. Practicing the precepts and mindfulness trainings is not a formality, but a protection of freedom, a nourishment of the mind of awakening, and a way to keep the Sangha beautiful (“Belle Sangha”), so that every breath, every step, every action—from washing dishes to writing calligraphy—is an act of generating joy and serving all beings.
