Via Tricycle //

 

Browse our online courses » September 11, 2025 The Whole of Spiritual Life   We often hear about an epidemic of loneliness—about people spending more time on their screens and less time together in-person, and suffering as a result. Increasingly divided, even online, where we’re targeted at every turn and now confront hyper-personalized information, we’re being hurled into our own silos whether we like it or not. It’s no wonder that so many studies report widespread loneliness, especially among young people, around the world. Buddhism’s resolution for this is sangha, one of the three jewels, along with dharma and the Buddha, in which Buddhists take refuge. The Buddha is often quoted as saying that the whole of spiritual life is having good spiritual friends. Vietnamese Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh is well-known for saying, “The next Buddha may take the form of a community.” Sangha is integral to a Buddhist way of life, and while the term may have applied to the monastic community during the time of the Buddha, today sangha can take so many shapes—lay, monastic, virtual, in-person, local or international.  Sangha gives our innately social selves an opportunity to practice and receive loving-kindness and compassion, and to give and accept the support we all need.  This week’s Three Teachings reminds us that sangha is non-negotiable, no matter what form it takes. Forward today's teachings to a friend » Join Tricycle's Virtual Sangha Tricycle’s Meditation Group provides weekly meditations and small group discussions led by renowned Buddhist teachers. Connect with other members of the Tricycle community and meditate with teachers from a variety of traditions.  This September we're joined by senior teacher and author, Gaylon Ferguson. In this series of guided meditation sessions, we are engaging the mindfulness of body, mindfulness of feeling, awareness of mind, and sense perceptions. Learn more and sign up » The Next Buddha May Be a Sangha By Thich Nhat Hanh At a Day of Mindfulness at Spirit Rock Center in 1993, Thich Nhat Hanh spoke about the importance of community for practice. Read more » Don’t Suffer Alone By Josh Korda Dharma Punx teacher Josh Korda explains the importance of community in Buddhism—and in human evolution. Read more » Tapping into Our Collective Wisdom With Sumi Loundon Kim In an episode of Life As It Is, Buddhist chaplain Sumi Loundon Kim discusses how spiritual friendship and alternative models of community can support us in facing the crises of our world today. Listen now »