Via The Tricycle Community // Three Teachings: Supported by the Sangha

 

Support the Tricycle community with a donation » December 25, 2025 Walking the Path Together    There are many challenges and obstacles that each of us face along the journey to awakening. But as the Buddha reminds us, we were never meant to go it alone. Instead, we can draw support and nourishment from the companionship of those who walk the path along with us.  Buddhism has always emphasized the role of sangha (community) as a foundation of our practice. Sangha is one of the three precious jewels, along with the Buddha (the example) and the dharma (the teachings). As Buddhists, we take refuge in the Buddha and his teachings, and we also take refuge in our own sangha of friends, family and co-practitioners. This means that we can turn to community as an ever-present source of guidance and encouragement as we traverse the ups and downs of a spiritual life.  “If you have a supportive sangha, it’s easy to nourish your bodhicitta, the seeds of enlightenment,” writes Thich Nhat Hanh. “If you don’t have anyone who understands you, who encourages you in the practice of the living dharma, your desire to practice may wither.” May this week’s Three Teachings serve as a reminder and celebration of the power of community along the Buddhist path.  Forward today's teachings to a friend » Join Our Online Community     In case you haven't heard, Tricycle is now on Substack. As a Tricycle Subscriber, you are automatically a subscriber to the Tricycle Substack. Click here to start conversing, sharing recommendations, and exchanging ideas with fellow readers and Tricycle editors.  Explore our Substack » What’s In A Word? Sangha By Andrew Olendzki  Buddhist scholar Andrew Olendzki digs into the meaning of the Sanskrit term sangha for insights on the earliest understandings of the role of community in Buddhism. Originally referring to small monastic groups, sangha is now often understood as encompassing all sentient beings. Read more » The Fertile Soil of Sangha By Thich Nhat Hanh What does it mean to take refuge in the sangha? Thich Nhat Hanh described sangha as the “main ingredient of success” in our practice and explores how we can draw support and sustenance from our spiritual communities.  Read more » Creating Sangha By Stephen Batchelor As Buddhism has evolved, sangha has shifted from monasteries to modern cities. Secular dharma teacher Stephen Batchelor considers how we can create and maintain strong communities as lay practitioners living in an individualistic world.  Read more » Follow Us

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