Kenneth L Barker D Min

Refuge in the Local Sangha Kenneth L Barker D Min

In Buddhist spirituality, a lot of literary attention is devoted to the meanings of Buddha and Dharma. But the third of the three Jewels, the Sangha, has received scant attention. What gives this even greater significance is that-in the West where Buddhist monasticism is rare-lay-led (i.e. non-monastic) Sanghas have sprung up all over North America as meditation groups or Dharma study groups. In many cases, those who have willingly taken up the challenge of leading, have had little or no experience beyond occasional, week-long residential retreats. Given that such a large percentage of practitioners participate in local Sanghas, Dr. Ken Barker has undertaken (what for him has been) a personal inquiry into the nature of local, lay-led Sanghas: what they are, and how lay leaders can lead effectively. Just as the historic monastic Sanghas of East and West have made the Dharma available to millions, the local Sangha, with a little insight into its nature, can still be a powerful refuge for many.