The Next Buddha will be a Sangha

Buddhism consists of three precious jewels. There is the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. The Buddha refers to Prince Siddhartha who, at 35, realized awakening under the Bodhi tree after six years of constant practice. Then there is the Dharma, the teachings of the Buddha. And lastly, the Sangha, the community of Buddhists who practice together.

It is often said that these three jewels are like the three legs of a table. All three are needed to support the Buddhist tradition. Without the three, there isn’t balance, you or the table will fall. If this is so, then why are they always listed in this order: Buddha, Dharma, Sangha. It would seem that this order is significant in some way. But how?

First, you might notice that they are listed in alphabetical order but I think that is the trivial case. I always thought that there should be more to it than that. Next, and the most common interpretation, is to think of these as listed in order of importance. Meaning the Buddha is the most significant jewel, then second most the Dharma and coming in third the Sangha.

Most common, people new to Buddhism think of the Buddha the same way they think about Jesus, as the founder of a religious tradition. The Christian tradition stands and falls on the existence of its historical founder in a way that Buddhism does not. In fact, a Zen master was once asked if Buddhism could survive if it was to be shown that the historical Buddha never actually existed. He smiled and said that we would be fine because we have the teachings, we would still have the Dharma.

So, if it is not alphabetical and it is not in order of significance then what does this order represent? It turns out that they are simply listed in chronological order. That is, first the Buddha realized awakening. Then the Buddha gave his first Dharma talk at Deer Park to his original five followers. The Buddha taught the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Noble Path. Each of these five students realized awakening on the spot as they listened to the Buddha’s teachings. These five monks became the first members of the Buddhist Sangha. It was a Sangha of five.

It is interesting to note that different schools focus on different jewels. For example, the Theravadan tradition tends to focus on the Buddha, their practices follow in the Buddha’s footsteps. We have our Zen master above focusing on the Dharma itself. Our tradition also places great importance on listening to the Dharma. So, if I was pushed to pick my favorite jewel, I would have selected the Dharma.

But my perspective has changed greatly during the COVID pandemic lockdown. This was a time when we suddenly could no longer meet as a Sangha. There was nowhere we could practice together. The immersive, communal experience in the Hondo was no longer available to us. It was then, that I found out how tenuous Buddhism becomes when we can no longer meet together. This is something that cannot be replaced. It is the essence of our practice – practicing the Dharma as a Sangha.

I would like to share another metaphor with you. Rather than the three legs of a table, think of a dance studio. What is most important? I think many would say that it is the dance instructor. Surely, you would want to learn how to dance from the very best teacher. But then what about the music? Wouldn’t you want to be able to select from the best playlist? Wouldn’t you want to learn all kinds of dance? Like jazz, hip-hop, classical and modern? Wouldn’t you want to feel the beat surging through the dance floor? Ok then perhaps it is the music that is most significant. Without the music then what use would the teacher be?

But we are still forgetting one very important additional factor. That is, the other dancers, your friends, colleagues and partners. It is very unlikely that you will dance alone. You always need a partner. A chorus line must always dance together as one. It is the other dancers that make you a dancer. Dance is a team sport. Without that there is no dance.

So more important than the teacher and the music are the other students who train with you. It is the community of dance that is most important. Dance is a team sport and it is your teammates that lift you up and inspire you. It is the dancers all around you that are most important.

I now believe that our greatest strength is the Sangha, in-person or on-line. It really is our most valuable jewel. 

As Thich Nhat Hanh once predicted, “the next Buddha will be a Sangha.” I think he is correct. This is why my new most favorite jewel is now the Sangha. I will treasure it forever. It is in the Sangha that the music and Dharma is heard.  

In gassho, Rev Jon Turner