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The Brothers of the Dien Family
The Dien brothers lived together in harmony until the third brother began to feel afraid of being at a disadvantage, and immediately asked to divide the family property and live separately. The three brothers decided to cut down the ancient tree to split it into three parts, but the next night the tree had withered and died. The tree stopped living because it “hurt in its heart” at the intention of separation, just like the pain of brotherhood being divided. Realizing this, the third brother was moved, asked to live together as before, and from then on the three brothers lived in harmony for the rest of their lives.
The sound of the bell signals the lesson on brotherhood in the sangha: fear, jealousy, and the thought of “wanting to be number one” are like the third wife, destroying the spirit of unity. To build a strong sangha, we need to
- recognize and transform the “enemy within” (fear, jealousy)
- encourage many “nuclei” (small groups) to function naturally on the basis of brotherhood
- continuously learn, create, and adapt to new circumstances without clinging to old forms
Training and ordination must also apply this principle: elders (senior brothers, sisters, teachers…) place brotherhood and the responsibility of guidance above authority, caring for and regularly communicating with the novices so that they may progress day by day. When brotherhood is strong, the sangha will have faith, happiness, and enduring vitality.
The Ideal as the Foundation of Brotherly Love