u/Availe

A place for teachers to share and discuss what's going on in their day. Feel free to vent, ask a question or just share your thoughts.

Please keep all comments respectful, have a great day.

A place for teachers to share and discuss what's going on in their day. Feel free to vent, ask a question or just share your thoughts.

Please keep all comments respectful, have a great day.

I have found looking for a Sangha challenging where I am from. A lot of what is referred to as Buddhism in Ireland tends to be:

(a) Very secular and ultimately not actualy Buddhism

(b) A Wellness retreat or community

(c) A cult apparently

This is meant as no disrespect to anyone engaging in Buddhism as a philosophy, but I am not looking for that.

I may have to venture online for a Sangha, maybe the UK has a larger community. I am new to all of this and would just like some help being pointed in the right direction.

To be clear, I do not know whether Therevada or any variety of Mahayana is the one I wish to pursue. I also am not looking for "Western Buddhism" which often seems to be Buddhism minus Reincarnation, Karma, Deva, Petas etc. I would just like some help finding a Sangha.

Thank you in advance.

A place for teachers to share and discuss what's going on in their day. Feel free to vent, ask a question or just share your thoughts.

Please keep all comments respectful, have a great day.

A place for teachers to share and discuss what's going on in their day. Feel free to vent, ask a question or just share your thoughts.

Please keep all comments respectful, have a great day.

A place for teachers to share and discuss what's going on in their day. Feel free to vent, ask a question or just share your thoughts.

Please keep all comments respectful, have a great day.

A place for teachers to share and discuss what's going on in their day. Feel free to vent, ask a question or just share your thoughts.

Please keep all comments respectful, have a great day.

A place for teachers to share and discuss what's going on in their day. Feel free to vent, ask a question or just share your thoughts.

Please keep all comments respectful, have a great day.

I have recently begun reading and exploring the teachings. As an Irish person, I find myself questioning my practice and perception regularly. While I am only at the beginning of this path, I have read (and am reading reading for further clarification) What the Buddha Taught by Walpola Sri Rahula and The Noble Eightfold Path by Bhikkhu Bodhi. I am looking for some advice or perspective from others as I want to approach this path honestly, respectfully and for the right reasons.

In What the Buddha Taught, there was a comment by the author on Cultural and Religious practices in certain countries. He wrote that (I am paraphrasing) these serve the function of fulfilling regions desires for some people but ultimately not at the centre of the path. I am trying to take in The Four Noble Truths, The Noble Eightfold Path, the concept of Anatta (which I find incredibly challenging - should I say this mind finds challenging?) Etc.

At the same time, I have come across commentary here from experiencee practicing Buddhists, criticising modern Buddhists and how some of them separate the teaching from the traditions and where Buddhism came from and from where it was rooted, its practices etc.

Commentary in What the Buddha Taught gave thought that following The Four Noble Truths, The Noble Eightfold Path, the teachings of the Buddha (which I have only just started really) need not be rooted in physical religious practice.

My conflict is here, and I am greatly aware that my novice understanding is definitely a barrier to further understanding. I mean no disrespect if I offend.

I dont want to treat Buddhism as an a la carte philosophy, I know that if one has to change something to make it work, that thing might not be for you. I wish to engage in and follow the Dhamma for what the Buddha intended. I am not attached to the idea of "being" a Buddhist or being perceived as such, the path simply feels correct. My initial understanding and reading gives the impression that much of the Path can be followed in and of itself, practice, view, mindfulness etc outside of culture. That is not to say that I am above the culture it stemmed from and currently lives in. There is (I hope) no ego in that comment. I simply feel like I may be stepping into someone's home and dont know how to behave.

I sometimes wonder if the (limited number of) texts I am reading are somewhat removed or sanitised from common practice and I dont want to stomp all over something with ignorance.

And while the Sangha in Ireland is apparently growing, I find myself without any access to this currently, hence why I ask here.

Apologies for the long post, thank you in advance. And insight would be appreciated.