481Dharma

The name of this blog, and the meditation group, was chosen because it means something very specific to me and how I think Buddhism is emerging in America. We need to move away from strict sectarian guidelines and towards a back-to-basics unified Dharma. 481 refers to the 4 Noble Truths, the 8 Fold Path, and the 1 Dharma. We can discard most of the ritual, dogma, superstition and cultural trappings that have grown around the Buddha's teachings as they've hopped from one location to another. We don't need em. The Buddha enumerated the steps of this path and stressed that we must cultivate wisdom, ethics and meditation to walk it. He was not vague.

He was also quite clear on the importance of relying on ourselves. He insisted that his followers explore the Dharma with the full extent of their faculties. We are meant to challenge everything the Buddha taught until we can rest assured that it is the truth. We do not follow blindly but painstakingly build our trust in the teachings through repetitive analysis.

The Buddha established a sangha, or community, of practitioners who sought truth and freedom. He considered this a major part of spiritual life. The sangha was created to help maintain rigorous discipline and offer support and structure to the group. It’s easier to walk a difficult path if there are others present to help when one member falters or fails.

I have looked for a sangha of my own for a long time but Lexington doesn’t have much to offer. Instead of making do with what’s available I’ve decided to create what I want. To that end, I have founded 481Dharma.

I have two main purposes that I hope to achieve with this group. The first is to create an alternative for meditators in this town. Thus far, if you’re not into Tibetan Buddhism or Korean Zen, it looks like you’ll be sitting by yourself. I remember when I first began studying and meditating, I had a lot of questions and there was no one around to answer them. I’d like to be able to help others in that position. It’d be great for them to have a community that they can rely on. Group meditation is also beneficial to practitioners who have been sitting for years. When you meditate alone you get used to all your individual quirks and notions. There’s no one to monitor you, no one to interfere with your habits or jostle you out of the ruts you settle into. If you sit with a group you become more aware of your practice. It’s easier to sit at home, in comfort and privacy, and daydream your meditation session away. Who’s gonna notice? But if you’re part of a group, all in the same place to do the same thing, you’re a little more dedicated. It’s easier to keep coming back to the meditation and remind yourself why you’re there. You’re more on your toes in a roomful of people. Especially when that room is almost completely silent and still.

Lexington needs a supportive sangha that’s unhampered by the rituals and cultural weirdness that prevent so many people from joining a group. Buddhism is simple. It’s straightforward and practical and it needs to be taught that way. Hopefully 481Dharma can fill this niche.

The second purpose is a bit grander. I’d like this meditation group to be a stepping-stone to a larger, more organized Dharma center that can be a real spiritual presence in Lexington. I’m a realistic guy. I know that 481 will most likely never be more than a few dedicated folks getting together to practice and discuss the teachings. But there’s a future that I’d like to create, one that relies on a sense of community.

Noah Levine, my teacher, lives in Los Angeles. I have little in the way of extra money that would permit me to travel there to study with him. He runs a comprehensive program at his center that provides training to those who wish to become teachers. I would like to go through this program and start a full-fledged Dharma organization here in Lexington. Of course, that’s years away. But that’s why 481Dharma can be a stepping-stone to this larger vision. I’m suggesting a $5 donation of everyone who comes to the weekly meditation group. It’s not mandatory and no one will ever be turned away for lack of funds. Generosity is a big part of any spiritual path and I hope people will find a few extra dollars to help out.

Please, if anyone is interested, help me turn this humble idea into reality. It can’t happen without a community.

Here are the pertinent details for the meetings:

481Dharma
Tuesday evenings from 7:15 - 8:45
Saturday mornings from 11:00 - 12:30
At the Metta Yoga Studio
145 Burt Rd. Suite 9
Lexington, KY
Suggested Donation: $5
No one turned away, ever

Please bring your own meditation cushion if possible. The studio can offer blankets and yoga bolsters but we have no real equipment for community use yet. Hopefully that will change. Each meeting will open with a short grounding meditation and be followed by a discussion or a Dharma talk. Lastly, we'll have a longer meditation session, between 20-40 minutes depending on what folks are comfortable with. Instruction will be given so beginners are always welcome. Please email me at purple@481dharma.com if you have any questions or concerns.