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The Food of Our Cells
Each cell in the body is assigned a specialized function – such as nerve cells transmitting information, lung cells breathing, liver cells transforming toxins – while at the same time always nourishing itself through the activity of two types of protein molecules on the cell membrane:
- Receptor proteins receive information from the external and internal environment
- Effector proteins rely on the received data to generate impulses for movement, protection, and nourishment of the cell
Inside the cell is the cytoplasm containing the nucleus with the system of chromosomes (chromosome, gene) carrying the hereditary seeds, along with organelles such as mitochondria that produce energy. Every organ, even the central and peripheral nervous systems (sympathetic, parasympathetic), develops from a primitive cell that contains all these capacities.
Similarly, each monastic member in the Sangha, when taking on a specialized responsibility – cooking, building, organizing retreats, and so on – must continuously nourish themselves through sitting meditation, walking meditation, mindful breathing, maintaining freshness and mindfulness in their deportment, so as not to “die as a cell of the Sangha body.”
In the upcoming winter retreat, the Sangha will:
- Review the foundational teachings of Plum Village (Dị Bộ Tông Luân Luận)
- Divide into specialized groups – children’s program, logistics, Dharma sharing, etc. – to record and systematize more than 20 years of organizational experience
- Maintain continuous communication through Dharma sharing, working together, and even in daily activities, in order to build a healthy, harmonious, and joyful Sangha body
The Sangha Is a Body