Core Ethos
The
contemplative practice at Dharmagiri is inspired by the ethos of the
monastic forest school which traces its roots back to the Buddha and
which is one of meditation, simplicity and renunciation. It is also
inspired by the Bodhisattva intention of compassionate response within
the world. The primary purpose of practice at Dharmagiri is to support
awakening within the individual and within the collective. We use
whatever unfolds for this purpose while taking care to sustain
individual well being and a healthy community.
Kuan Yin – Compassionate Response
The
archetypal template for our spiritual practice is Avalokitesvara or
Kuan Yin who embodies enlightened activity within the world while
rooted in depth understanding of emptiness. Another way of
understanding emptiness is to realize the inter connectedness of all
things. The Bodhisattva Kuan Shr Yin means the ‘One Who Contemplates
the Sounds of the World at Ease’ She (can also be he) is beyond form
yet works through form. At Dharmagiri we engage practices which evoke
the essence of Kuan Yin, which is the merging of depth wisdom as
articulated in the Heart Sutra, with depth compassion as articulated in
the Great Compassion Mantra. This is done through various meditation
practices as well as through daily recitation of mantra and Sutra texts.
Meditation Practice
Within
the archetypal context of Kuan Yin the foundation teaching and practice
at Dharmagiri is founded in the training in Samadhi (unification of
body, heart and mind energies) Sati (mindfulness) and Vipassana
(insight and wisdom). The use of meditation method and cultivation of
skilful mind and heart states is done in the service of nurturing
awareness and presence. While Dharmagiri is open to other approaches,
faiths and practices which enrich spiritual life and while we draw from
a variety of teachers, it is important for us that those approaches we
engage are rooted in an ethical foundation.
Community as Context
Besides
individual meditation practice an important dimension of life at
Dharmagiri is the cultivation of community. This focus was encouraged
by Kittisaro and Thanissara’s teacher Ajahn Chah. It is our practice to
observe sensitivity, authenticity and respect towards each other, to
share the undertaking of daily chores and to have the support of each
others awakening as our primary focus. To this end the challenges
within daily life are understood as opportunity for the deepening of
both wisdom and compassion within the individual as well as within the
community.
To facilitate mutual understanding the community at
Dharmagiri observes regular circle sharing where each is encouraged to
‘speak their truth’ to the extent that feels appropriate in an
atmosphere of safety and mutual respect.
There is nothing that you need to hold onto and there is nothing that you need to push away.
Dry up the remains of your past and have nothing for your future. If you do not even cling to the present, then you can go from place to place in peace"
