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Rosebud - Bonsall
A parallel supportive practice method is proposed to be practiced on a trial basis for six months between two families: the Rosebud family (young people) and the Dharma Cloud family (adults), or applied to the Rose Bush family and the Sweet Dew family. The two families practice in parallel, supporting each other based on eight principles:
- Separate and joint activities: Each family organizes their own Dharma sharing, Beginning Anew, Tea Meditation, Walking Meditation, and Sitting Meditation in a way suitable for their age group to nourish themselves. When having joint activities, the hosting family takes full responsibility for the content and quality; the other family supports unconditionally, without criticism, helping by being present and observing the way of working.
- Learning and Shining Light: After the day of activities, the families meet separately to review strengths and weaknesses and submit constructive feedback in writing as a collective, not using individual voices.
- Avoid triangulation: Practice the Fourth Mindfulness Training; anyone with something unsatisfactory must directly resolve it with the other person within 24 hours, not seeking a third person to complain to or create an alliance.
- Distribution of responsibilities: Everyone has the opportunity to practice roles such as Incense Offering and inviting the bell to learn. If the person in charge is absent, another person immediately takes their place in the spirit of collective responsibility.
- Focus on content, not form: The activity session begins with Noble Silence to welcome guests, without reading lengthy opening speeches; the silence is only broken when Tea Meditation begins.
- Listening and loving speech: During Dharma sharing, each person speaks for no more than 5 minutes; the facilitator uses the bell to signal.
- Pamphlet: Each family drafts their own pamphlet with suitable language, presenting the purpose and method of practice for newcomers to grasp.
- Family leader: Elect a virtuous person to coordinate for six months; the whole family must trust and support them completely.
The purpose of the practice is to create opportunities to understand, love, and unite more with each other through working and practicing together. The activities can include sharing life experiences, difficulties, and actual happiness of each person, helping the two generations understand and absorb each other’s insight. After six months, the families will make an evaluation report to supplement the next practice.