..Participation with Red Maple

The Red Maple Sangha is a community of lay practitioners dedicated

• to the study and practice of traditional Buddhist teaching,
• with special emphasis on exploring the teachings and traditions of Japanese and Western Tendai, and
• to making the benefits of Buddhist practice techniques and way of living available widely within a rural region not well served by other Dharma groups
• expressing the Dharma through skillful actions which benefit our larger communities, human, animal and natural.

Those who attend practice with RMS do not proceed through stages or ranks, rather, themselves select the depth of commitment and level of responsibility appropriate to their practice.

No one is required to make any exclusive commitments and all are encouraged to discover how to accommodate a practice in their lives. As they might choose, we will asist members undertake such ceremonies as jukai (refuge-taking) which foster a deeper personal practice. Even though we focus primarily on Tendai, all are encouraged to be open to the diversity of approaches within Dharma, as well as the common aspects of teaching and moral advice.

We welcome all those who may already have a teacher or are seeking one, especially those associated with distant Dharma centres.

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Associate Practitioners

These are people who want to attend occasional practice, mostly at the exploratory or introductory level, often with little or no commitment to the teachings of Buddhism. They commit

• to being prompt when they attend,
• to notify the Kanin (program coordinator) of their intentions to attend,
• to participate in a respectful and harmonious way and
• to offer financial or resource dana as they can.

We also welcome occasional visitors from out-of-region practice communities for sittings or retreats.

Red Maple Members

If an Associate wishes to commit to more regular attendance, wants to explore more of the range of practices and wishes to offer more consistent support for RMS activities, they may wish to be considered as a Red Maple Member.

As a Red Maple Member, they are prepared to involve themselves more at the level of practice and programs and are building a home practice. They define their practice as Buddhist.

They will commit

• to specific attendance,
• may learn some of the practice session leadership roles (e.g. timekeeper)
• may help with set-up chores,
• a greater responsibility in running practice and community events, and
• a specific financial support monthly.

Because of their willingness to accept this responsibility they become involved in much of the discussion and decision making about activities and will volunteer to help run activities. They will be more deliberate about the formality of their practice

Practice Attire

To help us maintain a suitable quality of attention in the Practice Hall, we ask all to observe a certain dignified formality of dress. This means dark (preferably black) below the waist and light (preferably white) above.

We ask all in attendance to be attentive to avoiding scents or elaborate jewelry. Practitioners are welcome to wear practice jackets, such as white gi or jubon, mala (meditation beads) and, for those who have made appropriate dedication, a kesa, as authorised by their teacher. Socks (preferably white or plain light) are preferred.

We ask all to leave personal items, such as bags and water bottles outside the Zendo.

Depending on the season, practitioners may like to wear extra sweaters. In warm weather we ask all to refrain from shorts, tank-tops and such casual clothing.