October 24, 2024
The Importance of Spiritual Friendship
Anyone
unfamiliar with Buddhism would be forgiven for thinking of it as a
solitary pursuit or practice. Images of silent retreats or a single
meditator on a cushion come to mind. But sangha, or community, is one of
the three jewels of Buddhism, and friendship is key.
The concept of spiritual friends, known as kalyanamitra (P. kalyana mitta),
is central to the Buddhist path, as much a support for practice as an
outlook to cultivate. Individual friends and sanghas provide necessary
encouragement for sticking with practice and following the precepts, or
guidelines for an ethical life. They can provide guidance, relief, or
inspiration.
Spiritual friendship is also important as an orientation. An
often-referenced quote by the Buddha is “friendship is not half of the
holy life, but all of it” (Samyutta Nikaya, 45.2). As American
Tibetan Buddhist nun Venerable Thubten Chodron points out, the Buddha
was speaking about himself here, explaining that he is a good friend to
all.
This week’s Three Teachings celebrates the importance
of dharma friendships and the underrated impact of a friendly
disposition, to one another and ourselves.
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