Frequently Asked Questions
Q. In what tradition of Buddhism do you practice?
A. We practice in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk.
Q. What is Mindfulness?
A. Mindfulness is the energy of being aware and awake to the present moment. It is the continuous practice of touching life deeply in every moment of daily life. To be mindful is to be truly alive, present and at one with those around you and with what you are doing.
Q. What do you do during your practice each week?
A. We usually have two sessions of sitting meditation and one session of walking meditation. Often we have some time for sharing readings and dharma discussion.Q. What is a “sangha?”
A. A sangha is a community of persons who support each other in the practice.
Q. What are the benefits of meditation?
A. In addition to reducing stress and tension, regular meditation practice gives rise to a deeper understanding of the causes and conditions of our happiness and unhappiness. By paying attention to what is going on in the here and the now, we can identify and water wholesome seeds of joy, peace and happiness, and we can avoid watering unwholesome seeds of anger, greed, and despair within our consciousness and the consciousness of others.
Q. Do I have to become a Buddhist to practice with your sangha?
A. No. Although we practice in the tradition of a Buddhist monk, it is not necessary to convert to Buddhism in order to enjoy this practice. Our members come from a multitude of faith traditions. The practice of mindfulness brings benefits regardless of one's particular spiritual path. The Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings encourage us not to be bound to any doctrine, theory or ideology, even Buddhist ones, and encourage us to be open-minded to others' insights and experiences.
Q. Can anyone learn to practice mindfulness meditation?
A. Yes. The basic techniques of meditation are accessible to everyone. Cultivating a regular practice, however, can be challenging. In our lives we encounter many influences on a daily basis that promote and encourage unwholesome or unmindful ways of living. Meditation practice requires commitment and diligence, in the presence of so many conditions that can lead in the opposite direction.
Q. Does Buddhist meditation focus just on the individual’s happiness?
A. Although meditation practice has an individual component, Buddhist practice is not about focusing on oneself as opposed to others. In fact, a central feature of Buddhist philosophy is the teaching of “non-self.” The Buddha taught that there is no separate, unchanging, permanent part of a human being, and that our true nature is one of interdependence, of "interbeing." As we become more aware of the bond that unites all beings, we cultivate deep love and compassion and come to realize, as Thay says, that "happiness is not an individual matter."
Q. How do you know if you have realized “inner peace” and how long does it take to get there?
A. Thich Nhat Hanh says that "there is no path to peace; peace is the path." When we meditate we are practicing peace; we are "being peace." Inner peace comes from calming the mind and learning to see what is really going on in each moment. It is a result of learning not to get caught in the pushes and pulls of emotions that otherwise can disrupt our lives. The state of inner peace is available to us with each breath, in every moment.
A. The word “buddha” means one who is fully awake. The historical Buddha Shakyamuni was able to remain fully awake during all of his waking hours. Most of us only manage to attain “part time Buddha" status, because we are only able to maintain conscious attention to the present moment for a fraction of our waking hours. The more we develop our concentration, mindfulness, and insight, the more we will water the seeds of our inherent Buddha nature.
Q. How do Buddhist principles relate to those of other religious or spiritual traditions?
A. In its ethical guidelines, Buddhism shares many of the fundamental principles as other spiritual traditions, including the value of cultivating unconditional love and compassion for all living beings. While the wisdom of the Buddhist tradition is also to be found in other religious and spiritual traditions, Buddhism also offers a number of practical skills to transform and reduce the suffering in our families and society.
Q. Does one have to become a monk or nun in order to become enlightened?
A. Everyone is capable of growing in the capacity for mindfulness, concentration, and insight. Mindfulness meditation offers a method of training our minds so that we can liberate ourselves from unwholesome patterns of thought, speech, and action. Few people are able to practice on a full-time basis, without concern for earning a living or supporting a family. Members of the monastic community deserve our gratitude and support in their role as teachers, but it is up to the rest of us to carry the fruits of our practice from the meditation hall to the workplace, to our homes, and to all of our relationships as we practice mindful living in each waking moment of our lives. This is "engaged Buddhism" as taught by Thich Nhat Hanh.
