“The Importance of Spiritual Friendship” with Jane this Sunday at Minneapolis Insight

Dear Community,

Sunday 10am Community Practice & Discussion

From Jane: As we enter this new year I think about the gifts of this sangha in my life and I reflect on the often cited emphasis that the Buddha gave to the importance of spiritual friendship as we pursue this path.

In the Upaddha Sutta (SN 45.2) there is a conversation between the Buddha and his disciple Ananda in which Ananda enthusiastically declares “This is half of the holy life lord; admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie.” And the Buddha replies; “Don’t say that, Ananda. Don't say that. Admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie is actually the whole of the holy life. When a (person) has admirable people as friends, companions, and comrades, they can be expected to develop and pursue the noble eightfold path.”

And in the Itivuttaka (1.17) the Buddha says; “I don’t envision any other single factor like admirable friendship as doing so much for a (person) in training. A (person) who is a friend with admirable people abandons what is unskillful and develops what is skillful.

And in a reference in (AN 8.54) the Buddha points out that, admirable friendship means not only associating with good people, but also learning from them and emulating their good qualities.

I look forward to reflecting on our experience of spiritual friendship and sharing our practice together this Sunday. Everyone is welcome. Registration and Zoom information available here.

With mettā,
Minneapolis Insight