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Brotherhood and Attachment
The practice of mindfulness is effective when we practice correctly according to the Dharma and for a sufficient amount of time to nourish the energies of concentration and insight; only then do we have the capacity to handle sorrow, anger, and craving. If mindfulness is still weak, afflictions become stronger, and the effectiveness of mindfulness will manifest immediately when we practice correctly; if there are not yet results, we need to seek out a teacher or the Sangha for consultation. Mindfulness, concentration, and insight are the backbone of Buddhism; we should not ask whether mindfulness is effective or not, but rather whether we are practicing correctly according to the Dharma.
To build a strong Sangha, first we must have a great aspiration, a vast bodhicitta, to avoid loneliness and a sense of lack. The brotherhood and the relationship between teacher and student nourish each other, and this very love also nourished the Buddha. Preventing attachment is always easier than dealing with attachment. When we discover attachment, we need to:
- Use “Sangha eyes” to share with a fellow practitioner and verify whether it is truly a difficulty or not.
- If four or more people agree, bring it to the larger precepts council so that immediate measures can be taken to prevent it.
The Sound of the Traditional Bell