View full issue in PDF - The Mindfulness Bell

8) Support and receive support from monastic community.
Help Western aspirants enter the monastery. Support
and receive support from residential practice centers In the
West.
9) Devise a calendar based on suggestions from Plum
Village for international practice (monthly or weekly
themes) incorporating seasonal changes, other religious
traditions' important holidays, etc.
10) Develop mechanisms for networking and support:
e.g., Order of Interbeing address and phone list.
Inclusiveness and Special Needs
Recognizing the interbeing nature of all humanity and the
suffering caused by isolation and exclusion, we are aware
that there are many silenced and marginalized groups in our
society, and that we need to listen deeply to these groups
and individuals in their own language and ways of living.
We need to become more aware and open to the tensions
and misunderstandings between us and to explore ways to
address areas that reflect our own suffering.
We agree to be open to suggestions from all racial and
ethnic groups regarding inclusiveness; to listen deeply to
our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual members to help
eliminate misunderstandings which may exist; and to
increase awareness of ways our Sanghas can welcome
people with mental and physical disabilities and the chronically
ill. Economic inclusion, financial support and scholarship
to Sangha events, and health-related dietary needs were
all identified. We hope that The Mindfulness Bell will
present a broader picture with more diversity.
Finances
We discussed the following issues:
1) The membership fee of $50 for the Order of
Interbeing is dana: it is suggested, not required. Of this, $18
goes for a subscription to The Mindfulness Bell. Payments
outside of the U.S. can be made by Euro-check to one
European account, or in U.S. dollars to the U.S. account.
2) Local and national Sanghas are encouraged to have
their own membership dues to cover local expenses. The
UK Sangha has accomplished this by having their newsletter
subscription be the Sangha dues.
3) The Order of Interbeing finances are separate from the
finances of Plum Village, Parallax Press, and the Community
of Mindful Living.
4) Questions for discussion: Should local Sanghas tithe
10% of their funds to the International Order of Interbeing?
Should a portion (e.g., 25%) of receipts from Plum Village
retreats and workshops with a significant involvement of
Order of Interbeing members be tithed to the Order of
Interbeing1
5) Twenty to twenty-five percent of Order funds may be
used for administrative costs, mailings, and phone calls. A
portion of the remaining funds may be used to support
Order of Interbeing retreatants at Plum Village and to
respond to needs for social action.
6) Questionnaires may be sent to determine the percentage
of funds to go to scholarships and to needs for social
action. Decisions about social action responses to be based
on questionnaire responses. Decisions about scholarships
may be made by financial coordinators.
Social Action
To reflect the complex and diverse nature of social action,
and to support our international community in responding to
suffering, we submit the following:
1) To facilitate the exchange of information and the
networking of people, resources, materials, and spiritual
support, we propose a designated time on the schedule
during general retreats where those involved in social action
can present their work to the Sangha. In addition, we
propose that affinity groups concerning social action be
encouraged and supported as part of the retreat schedule.
2) We propose that The Mindfulness Bell provide a
section in each issue to inform members about social action
projects; resources and support needed anc\Jor available both
within and outside the community; continuing updates of
the projects; immediate action calling for response to
suffering and injustices. We encourage those involved in
social action to write articles for The Mindfulness Bell.
3) We propose organizing retreats for those involved or
interested in social action, facilitated by experienced
teachers both in and outside of the Order of Interbeing. We
propose circulating the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings in a
non-Buddhist context as a skillful means of connecting and
working with others.
20
Reflections
by Jack Lawlor
A
fter returning from this year's meeting in Plum
Village, I was immersed in gratitude for the mindfulness
practices we share, and for the efforts of Th§y, Sister
True Emptiness, and the growing community of monks and
nuns. I am also in awe of the spiritual growth and maturity
in the Order since its first international meeting in 1992.
This collective deepening of our practice may be due to
the steady growth of healthy Sanghas in over 20 countries
during the past four years. When we met in 1992, there were
many lay Order members who were not closely connected
with a Sangha-apart from Plum Village-which could
nourish their practice. As a result, our practice may have
been wobbly and intermittent. More and more of us have
begun to hear Thay's gentle and consistent reminders about
the value of practice with our home Sangha, however small
it may be. The fruits are obvious-regular practice of sitting
meditation, walking meditation, and the use of gathas is