Rugged Interdependency - Amaravati Buddhist Monastery

Rugged Interdependencytics around, and enough stability in the community, to allow us to begin lookingfor land in California. On the morning of June the 1 st we got the call to let us knowabout the offer. It all fitted very well.On several occasions, Master Hua had made a point of stating that it had beenthe dream of his life “to bring the Northern and Southern traditions of Buddhismback together again.” His offering was one of openhearted ecumenical friendship,and it enabled the two communities to be physically close and to relate in an atmosphereof mutual respect and harmony.In choosing a name for the Monastery it seemed appropriate to reflect on thekindness of this offering and the spirit in which it was intended. It also seemedimportant to use a name in the Pāli language, to confirm the sense of allegianceto the Theravāda tradition. The name that was finally settled upon, “Abhayagiri,”means “Fearless Mountain.” The original Abhayagiri Monastery was in ancient SriLanka, at Anuradhapura. That Monastery was most notable for welcoming practitionersand teachers from many different Buddhist traditions. They lived thereamicably alongside one another, distinct in their particular practices but not separateas communities. During the 4 th Century CE Abhayagiri housed some 5,000monks, according to the Chinese pilgrim Fa Hien, who visited there at that time.Now that it has been developed for a few years, Abhayagiri Monastery inCalifornia is a center of teaching and practice for people in monastic or lay life.Its heart is a community of monks (bhikkhus), novices (sāmaneras), and postulants(anagarikas) pursuing a life of meditative reflection. Frequently monastics fromother branches of this global community come and stay for periods of time. Thosewishing to join the Sangha initially make a commitment as an anagarika for oneyear, during which time they can train in the monastic life and consider a longercommitment. After another year as a sāmanera, those who decide to continue withthe training may be accepted into the Sangha of fully ordained monks. Shorter,temporary ordinations as an anagarika are also possible.The Sangha lives according to the Vinaya, a code of monastic discipline establishedby the Buddha. In accordance with this discipline, the monastics arealms-mendicants, living lives of celibacy and frugality. Above all, this training isa means of living reflectively and a guide to keeping one’s needs to a minimum: aset of robes, an alms bowl, one meal a day, medicine when ill, and a sheltered placefor meditation and rest.The Vinaya creates a firm bond between the Sangha and the general public. Onereason for this is that without the daily offering of alms food, and the long-termsupport of ordinary people, the Sangha cannot survive. Obviously, the necessarysupport will only be forthcoming if the Sangha provides an example that is worthyof support. This relationship creates a framework within which generosity, compassionand mutual encouragement can grow.Dependence upon others encourages monastics to live in faith and to be contentwith a humble standard of living. For those who support the Sangha, this opportunityto give provides occasions for generosity and a joyful and direct participationin the spiritual life. In return the Sangha offers people spiritual guidance by verbal