Peaceful Harbor Sangha is an open community of practice
whose members come together weekly to strengthen
and support our individual practice through meditation and through the study
and discussion of Buddhist teachings. Our
principal teacher and spiritual guide is Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh (see “About Thich Nhat Hanh”) , whose
interpretations of ancient Buddhist texts and personal teachings inspire us and point
the way to deeper understanding, insight, and mindfulness.
Thus we say that we practice
in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, and we focus our sangha activities on the
study and practice of his teachings.
However, this does not mean that we exclude the wisdom of countless
other Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Dharma teachers whose guidance enriches our
practice and our lives.
We practice together weekly
on Sunday evenings from 6:30 – 8:00 P.M. in the Parish Hall of First Parish
Church, 425 Congress Street, in the heart of Portland, Maine. Our weekly
gatherings include sitting and walking meditation, reading Buddhist teachings,
and discussion. We maintain regular interconnection with the many other Sanghas throughout the State
of Maine and beyond that practice in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, and
with the larger Maine Buddhist community through participation in the work of
the Maine Buddhist Gathering.
Our group activities reflect
our individual commitments to practice compassion, lovingkindness, equanimity,
and joyfulness. We are an open and welcoming community for any and all who wish
to practice with us, or who wish to explore meditation and Buddhist practice to
determine whether or not they will undertake the practice as a personal commitment.
We support and encourage one
another to take our practice beyond the meditation cushion and to practice
“engaged Buddhism” in the larger community and the world. Peaceful Harbor
Sangha, however, is not a political or social action group.
Respectful of one another’s
privacy and the integrity of our practice, we do not use or seek to use the
sangha as a means of personal gain or personal advantage, and we consider all
matters discussed within the sangha as personal and confidential.
Community
"It is possible that the
next Buddha will not take the form of an individual. The next Buddha may take
the form of a community—a community practicing understanding and loving
kindness, a community practicing mindful living.
This may be the most important
thing we can do for the survival of the Earth."
—THICH NHAT HANH