Refugium Sangha Building – Dharma Talk – September 16, 2019

Refugium Sangha Building I ran across this word the other day and it got me to thinking once again about Sangha, taking refuge, and being a refugee.  The classical Latin definition of refugium is a place or means of shelter, a place to flee or retreat.  The modern definition has a more biological or ecological usage.  In modern usage refugium means an area where special environmental circumstances have enabled a species or community of species…

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KP Duty Sangha Building – Dharma Talk – September 15, 2019

KP Duty Sangha Building For those of you who have served in the military you know what KP is.  For those who have not, KP stands for Kitchen Patrol, so KP Duty is Kitchen Patrol Duty.  I’m not sure if things are the same now, I suspect they are, however during the course of every service members time on duty they will at least once have served on KP or else some other activity such…

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Nuts and Bolts of Sangha Building – Dharma Talk – September 13, 2019

Nuts and Bolts of Sangha Building – September 13, 2019 I’ve written several articles on Sangha building, mostly from a theoretical point of view.  I’ve addressed major points of inclusion, and celebration of difference, and the importance of not neglecting the Sangha as disposable. Now I’d like to give some advice on how to actually do the work of growing a Sangha.  It’s hard, it’s often discouraging, and truly there is no other way. First…

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Monthly Prayer for Overcoming Illness – Dharma Talk and Video – September 1, 2019

Monthly Prayer for Overcoming Illness – September 1, 2019 Good morning, thank you for joining with me here at the temple in Syracuse and participating in the joyful recitation of the Lotus Sutra and the chanting of Odaimoku.  Today we dedicate our prayers and the merit we obtain to those who suffer from illness, whether short-term or long-term illness.  Also we offer our merit to those who care for the sick. As you may know…

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