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Within religion, the laity are dependent upon clergy for maintaining the spiritual-religious life by following ethics which even children can follow, practicing celibacy, contemplating and sharing the dharma, practicing meditation and living a life of humility and austerity primarily directed towards spiritual-religious attainment. However sometimes it’s difficult to give because religion may have caused our suffering in the past or we may have blamed religion, then we think religion does not require the monks or the nuns or the priest or the church or perhaps even a community, but can be explored alone. We developed a view of household life and worldly work are capable of attaining enlightenment. However, household life and worldly work are not capable attaining enlightenment, at least not in the Buddhist sense of the word. If household life and worldly work were capable of attaining enlightenment, then religion would be household life and worldly work and the religious places —- churches, temples, monasteries, synagogues, mosques, reservations —- and ways of being in the house and at work which reflect from and are preserved by them would not exist. One can even work towards turning one’s house towards being a temple, but unless the only direction is following the rules, practice and philosophy of the religious life with a goal of lessening one’s and other’s suffering, we are dependent upon higher ordained clergy from which our religious life can reflect or will fall short. Some of us, which were mistreated by those considered an authority, do not want to acknowledge a hierarchy in religion, but true religious authority is based on attainment which directly corresponds to one’s ability lovingly liberating another from suffering. Love does not cause anger, misunderstanding or hide, but knows what to say to loosen rigid and fixed views which were causing suffering and foster understanding, inspires to practice and is self-disciplined while enjoying a modest life.
The clergy are dependent upon the laity for material needs. Offering money is helpful, and donating generates merit for the giver, but the best way to offer is to understand the needs of those living a more spiritual and religious life than you without babying them, without condescending them as knowing other’s need creates understanding, understanding is a part of love. Then if one chooses a more religious life, one will know the path. Clergy historically and in present abstain from money, knowing money’s faults: not clearly reflecting the true values of life’s worth, ethics and emotional security.
Thus it is said there is no greater gift in the Buddhist Dharma, than in sharing the truth. Therefore, renounce for stricter ethics, learn and share the dharma to those whom do not yet know the dharma as much as you and know that this is the best offering even to those more well-versed in practice, ethics and philosophy.
If not, then give of your time when you can practice and share in the social work of maintaining a Sangha, this community which searches for truthful, blissful, wise living together.
If not this, then understand what these working at practicing more and sharing in the social work of maintaining a Sangha need and give it to them without expectation —-these will love you in their depths and you will benefit from these underlying your life, giving you a floor of rightness so long as virtue is maintained.
But if you cannot understand the needs of the community, or you cannot accept the needs as stated and insist something else is needed, try to understand other’s views. If you cannot, then give monetarily to the extent you can care for yourself taking into account the depth of which you can integrate yourself into the care given and taken by the sangha.
A vegetarian diet consists of 4 primary food groups: grain, protein, vegetable, fruit. Dairy and eggs, garlic, onion, mushrooms are typically ok outside the ashram, but not in it or suitable for retreat. Vegetables which do not grow in the ground or shade are considered best. Protein is high in beans, seeds, nuts, eggs, and dairy. A diet of lentils, brown rice, mixed fresh fruit and lightly cooked vegetables with light spice and butter/oil is best. Tea, cream, sugar, chocolate, cookies are nice treats. Be clear by asking if there is a vow of abstention from money.
Fragrances are to be avoided. Toothpaste, toothbrush, neti pot, washcloth, and soap. Sanitation wipes with low alcohol content are sometimes helpful. Showers and laundry are particularly helpful, but coin laundry is not possible without someone else putting the coins in.
Asking without approaching a house and without technology is best. We do not stay where the dharma is not valued. Showers and laundry are helpful. Lodging must have a space drug, smoke, alcohol free and ordinates avoid spaces where drugs are being or are recently used. Separate food before protein is added if staying in vegetarian/non-vegetarian lodging, then add vegetarian protein to one. Best is to encourage a gathering to share food, dharma talk and practice. Without a teacher’s permission no longer than 3 days are acceptable. Renunciates: Do not lodge where there is temptation which might be beyond your will, call your teacher. Do not travel outside a monastery or temple or extremely devout families too long.
In the Buddhist Gelug lineage the basic components include the Gnulen (undershirt), Dhonka (upper garment, red for renunciate, yellow/orange for novice), the Shemdap (lower garment), the Zhen (outer robe), the Choegu (teaching robe), Dingwa (sitting rug), underskirt (meyok) and belt (red for renunciate, yellow/orange for novice), and dagam (large cloak with many folds for warmth). Fully ordained monastics also have a Namjar outer robe reminiscent of sanghatis in the Theravadan and some Zen orders.
Golden Deer Sangha 