Hello everyone!
Today we are continuing chapter 8.
The first portion discusses some men who made a point to practice without leaving home. Do you feel that Treeleaf shares their sentiment in the same way? And what about Dongshan leaving his mother? His story is considered to be a great example of non-attachment. Do you think perhaps that sometimes practitioners look at these stories through rose-colored glasses, assuming that because they were great teachers, they must have done the right thing at all times? Do you feel that perhaps there is a large chunk of lineage missing by not formally including householders, many of them women?
Please continue to read, and post your thoughts or questions.
I was particularly struck by the story of Shenyi, and the poem there.
Schireson says that many nuns consider the sangha to be their surrogate, or I would even say extended, family. I also feel the same way. Sangha in all its forms, from Treeleaf itself, to the larger Buddhist community, to the whole world, greatly motivates my practice.
Gassho
Sat, lah
