Sangha

Spiritual Friendship

“Noble friends are the whole of the holy life,” the historical Buddha taught. Read up on Buddhism’s notion of the kalyanamitta, or spiritual friend. Do you know how to recognize one? Do you know how to be one?<br /> <br /> <br />

Spiritual Friendship Is the Path

Each one of us, says David Viafora, can be a kalyana mitra, or “spiritual friend.” Here’s how.

How Am I Doing?

From time to time, says Anyen Rinpoche, it’s important to take an honest look at yourself and ask, how am I doing on the Buddhist path?

Sangha Is More than a Community

Thich Nhat Hanh explains that sangha is more than a community, it’s a deep spiritual practice.

Confronting Abuse in Spiritual Communities

When the trust we put in a spiritual friend, teacher, or community is compromised, so much is put at risk. View Buddhadharma's collection of articles on preventing and addressing such abuses of power.

Breaking the Silence on Sexual Misconduct

Willa Blythe Baker offers both her painful firsthand account of sexual misconduct by a guru and insight for fellow survivors and communities.

The Buddha Would Have Believed You

In too many Buddhist communities, women have not been believed when revealing harm caused by men. Bhikkhu Sujato looks to the Vinaya and finds another approach.

Our Teachers Are Not Gods

Longtime practitioner and psychotherapist Rob Preece says even though as students we may be devoted to our teachers, we can’t afford to idealize them anymore.