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 to survive after extinction in surrounding areas.
Can you see it?
I think both interpretations can apply. In the contemporary usage we might consider that our deep connections to each other with our shared humanity is becoming extinct. We are a deeply fractured species, almost rushing towards our self-destruction. We as a society and as individuals do not always act in our best interests even though we say we wish to do so.
So in a way we as beings of humanity, of compassion, of connection are becoming extinct. Our survival as a species of not simply human, but a species of connected, compassionate, communicative, caring, concerned, and cooperative beings is at risk.
The refugium, the special environmental circumstances that will enable the survival of this species of being to survive is the Buddhist Sangha. It is imperative that we as Buddhist continue to strive to ensure that this protected safe zone be continually available.
This special protected refugium zone is not about creating a utopia where everyone thinks and acts identical to others. Rather it is a zone where differences can be connected to, can be considered compassionately, can be learned from, can be analyzed, where communication can occur across differences, where individuals can be celebrated and welcomed as Buddhas.
For those who seek the shelter of respect, compassion, understanding, respect the refugium of the Sangha has a special function. By our individual examples we can demonstrate not through theory, rather through our own actions.
I hope you will contemplate this dual concept of refugium for the survival of the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, and for the survival of a caring, compassionate, connected, and concerned species of humanity.
