Frenchman Island Lighthouse – Lake Oneida, New York – Blockprint over Monoprint Background
The image of a lighthouse in some ways is an ideal one to represent the concept of Sangha. I say this because lighthouses are a community effort, even if not all in the community are aware of their participation, in ensuring the safe navigation of ships and other naval vessels which provide transport to people and goods.
The Buddha provides us with teachings, the Dharma, for our navigation across the ocean of suffering of birth and death. The Sangha provides a community of practitioners who support each other in the practice of the Dharma the Buddha gives us.
A lighthouse is a beacon of light to guide ships which has been established through communal effort. The same a Sangha provides a community of believers who shine the light of the Dharma in society to guide others in faith, practice, and study of the Dharma of the Buddha.
For more images of lighthouses and block prints by Ryushogo to Ryusho’s Art Blog
