i go for refuge in the Sangha
taking refuge in the Sangha represents our commitment to living
harmoniously with others and working to bring all sentient beings
further along on the path to enlightenment.
it is positive energy and support we need.
Sangha is translated as "virtuous community" representing the
spiritual community, our fellow seekers, kindred spirits, soulful
friends we rely on and trust. historically, it is referred to the
ordained, monastic community of monks and nuns.
in an immediate sense, the Sangha also represents the people to
whom you are close or intimately connected - the people you live
and hang out with. these friends, colleagues, partners, relatives
often help create the situations that make up your path. Buddhists
recognises that the quality of spiritual practice is greatly
influenced by one's associates. monks and nuns separate themselves
from the world is to avoid worldly people and distracting
influences.
spiritual energy is healing energy; when any group gathers with a
dedication to something greater than one's finite, individual self,
the accumulated energy is almost palpable.
in larger sense, Sangha refers to a great deal more than a
particular group of people who wear yellow orange or red robes. the
Sangha signifies cooperation, collaboration, inclusiveness and
interbeing - being connected with others.
this includes the entire community of all beings, seen and unseen,
human and otherwise - the entire boundless circle.
internal Sangha is your own personal practice and the internal
energies and experience practice evokes that of receiving positive
energy from spiritual experiences in an esoteric way with
personified energies that are archtypical representations of Dharma
Protectors.