A vibrant sangha life!
Dear friends,
What an entry into Autumn it has been.
I just returned from a week in Germany to find piles of golden leaves around the house!
Since my last update, the sense of vibrancy in our community seems to have flourished.
August was full of interesting meetings for myself and those of us who are thinking about how to guide the Sangha into the future.
I mentioned that a few of us were discussing what role a therapeutic approach might play in our thinking as we go forward, which was very rich.
I followed that up with a couple of afternoons with some of the senior teachers in the Sangha, to discuss how to support a new generation of teachers to come through. Is it something we can really plan for? What kind of support do we need? What training? Will teachers emerge naturally or are there things we can put into place to improve the possibility?
In a non-monastic sangha, we have lots of variables to take into consideration - the amount of time one needs for retreat for example - how are people able to do that as well as live in the world with all the responsibilities we have?
We will continue to meet as a group and think further on this vital topic.
Katie and Pati led a weekend on ‘Awakening The Heart of Bravery’ exploring the suffering of the world today and if we can use this to lead us to Awakening. Katie held a large gathering at the Hermitage, while Pati taught online from Poland, connecting with an online group from around the world.
Sherab and Namka both led Sunday gatherings, which are a way to explore themes of DHB in our daily life. Each month a teacher develops the course themes - they are open to the whole sangha, so check the events page for the November Sunday Gathering with Pati and more to follow in 2026.
Lama Shenpen and Lama Agnes gave some teachings on Buddha Tara practices. These teachings are currently being limited to those who are in the Sadhana stream, and we are discussing how and when to make them more available to other sangha members.
While that was happening, I was in Hastings with a small group of practitioners experimenting with a new way of meeting to practise. Seven of us hired an air B and B for the weekend and created an intense gathering to practise and discuss Dharma together, and reciting our text on the beach as part of the fun. I really enjoy this way of meeting - easy to organise and it seems to enable us to go very deep, very quickly. I will be trying out more of these ways of meeting over the coming years. Smaller groups mean we don’t need to hire big venues a long time in advance in which to meet.
It feels very alive and brings to mind how early Christianity was spread.
Later in September, I met with the Council for a week at the Hermitage. We are meeting twice a year to focus on the long term planning for the sangha. We discuss which are the priorities for the Management team to develop over the coming year, and which themes we want to spend more time discussing with others.
Lama Shenpen and I led a weekend at the Hermitage and online - ‘Discover the Heart of True Being’. Lama Shenpen brought out more of her thinking on the Five Mandalas and I interviewed her the following day.
Lama Shenpen then began a series of talks on Mandala Principle. These talks will help Lama to share the teachings that she has been working on for many years, and we hope to use the transcripts to create written materials in the future. These are open to everyone. If you would like to be kept informed of when these will be, and to watch previous talks, you can sign up here.
And finally, Pati and I joined up with Lama Agnes in Germany who is leading a retreat of her German sangha.
We had already met with Karl Brunhotzl and Stephanie Johnson in Munich to discuss Dharma and strengthen our connection. They are long term colleagues of Lama Shenpen, and senior teachers in Ponlop Rinpoche’s sangha.
It was really interesting to hear their experience of training Dharma teachers and I hope we can draw more from them in the near future, as they have so much to offer!
After that, we travelled North to the place I lived as a child, and entered into Lama Agnes’ retreat. I gave some meditation instruction and Pati shared her experience of the importance of mentoring and creating sangha. We were made so welcome.
Lama Agnes was giving Refuge and Bodhisattva vows, and it was such a joyous occasion and a privilege to be a part of.
I’m back home for a week before going into a two week solitary retreat further down the peninsula, while Lama Shenpen and Lama Tara lead the Sadhana retreats at the Hermitage.
Sangha Celebration
All students are invited to join us online for our Annual Gathering in which we can all come together. There will be a teaching from Lama Shenpen and we will celebrate those who have been through the Discovering the Heart of Buddhism materials for the first time and give a taster of the various options available to you in the New Year.
In the New Year, there will be opportunities for gatherings at the Hermitage for Losar, Discovering the Heart of Buddhism teaching weekends, and Community volunteer weeks. Retreats and Events will be announced as they are created.
Also online, don't forget Discovering the Heart of Buddhism, Trusting the Heart of Buddhism and Living the Awakened Heart practice and study groups - so do keep checking for updates.
Keep an eye out for gatherings, weekend teachings and more
Thank you to everyone who is contributing to such a wonderful example of a living Dharma community.
See you soon
Dashon