Question for Buddhists: How do I take refuge in the Sangha when there is no Sangha where I live?

Question

I asked this question in another way, and I was misunderstood, so I will try again and see if I can attract the advice of some practicing Buddhists.

I read that Buddhists take refuge in the Three Jewels of the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha for strength and wisdom. The Sangha, as I understand it, is the worldwide community of Buddhists.

So how can I take refuge in something that doesn't physically exist where I live? I am from an area of the world where there are no temples, teachers or laypeople. Even the books I read on Buddhism have to be special-ordered through the internet.

I'm having a hard time functioning as a Buddhist in a vacuum. I have no support. Is my spiritual practice destined to fail if there is no one else around to support me?

Please offer anything you have to share. No preaching, please. I was a Christian before, and I still am to some respects, but I will not convert.

Answer 1

When you're taking "refuge" in the Sangha it generally refers to the groups of Buddhist monks and nuns most specifically and then the second def. used is the one you wrote (community).

You're not taking refuge in people or a person but in the teachings, emptiness, etc. It's an "inspiration" kind of thing... or focus tool.... they're working towards realizing emptiness and are a kind of "beacon" who inspire us in the Path.

Everything we do, visualizations, prostrations, taking refuge, incense, etc. these are all just tools that help us along the way. When we make offerings... the Buddha doesn't need our food, or our scented water... what that does is focus our minds on altruism. Taking refuge is like "running home to mama" you look back towards your main focus of inspiration... taking refuge in the 3 Jewels...

Your books on Buddhism should be explaining this to you. Check out www.buddhanet.net there are links to resources to help you.

_()_

Answer 2

That's easy. Start a Sangha.

That is what Robert Aitken did. He and his wife, and two friends started the Diamond Sangha after World War II.

When I moved to Ellensburg; I started the Lotus Sangha. It was just me meditating. After I had been meditating alone for a year; a friend asked me to teach her zen, then about three months later two other friends asked me to teach them meditation.

In the two years I have lived here; the Lotus sangha has grown from 1 member to 8 members in just two years. Last week four of us attended a mini sesshin sponsored here in Ellensbug by a Rinzai Buddhist priest from Seattle. There were people there as far away as Wenachee (80 miles away)

Answer 3

I practice Buddhism by myself without contact with any Buddhist communities and I don't find any problem with that. I just focus on the moral teachings of the Buddha and practice meditation and I find I can do that adequately without any need to contact other Buddhists although perhaps in the future as I progress that might be necessary.

Answer 4

That's a tough situation you have there.

If there's no sangha, then you have to keep practicing without one. You are not destined to fail. The important thing, at this time, is to practice zazen every day. If you practice zazen, you will be alright. So do zazen. Zazen.