Founded in 1997

The Society was founded in 1997 and registered with Revenue Canada as a charitable organization. The membership grew from 3 people to about 30 within a year or two.

Working Together

Our nickname, The Open Door Sangha, reflects the ecumenism of the founding members, who were practicing in different Buddhist traditions. Our inclusiveness was established to make it possible for each individual to have a group s/he could relate to and practice with. This  provides a fruitful ground for practice since different traditions have different approaches, yet we work together.

One area where our traditions differ is in the attitude to rebirth. In Vajrayana and Theravadin Buddhism, (Vipassana and Tibetan traditions in our Sangha) it is accepted that we may be literally reborn many times on the road to awakening. In Zen Buddhism a belief in literal rebirth or reincarnation is not only not required, it is not relevant to our practice.

Regardless of our differences, there are some essentials that we agree on. Being born into a human body is a precious gift. Sometimes, when life is unsatisfactory, when we are hurting, we don’t appreciate the gift of life and death that is all we have. This is very sad. Being exposed to Buddhist teaching (the dharma), and having the opportunity to practice, we can come to realize our own internal Buddha nature, and fully appreciate our lives.

 

Group Practice

Buddhist practice helps us appreciate our life even when we start out by feeling that we and our lives are somehow worthless. This appreciation happens even when we have real cause for guilt, sorrow, anger, or other negative emotions. The process of accepting and appreciating our lives is a deep transformation which affects how we make both minor and major life decisions. It requires us to take responsibility, and to face ourselves with all our failings and our strengths. It is not an easy process, and it is not quick. During this process it is essential to work with a Sangha, staying with group practice even when other people annoy us deeply. And it is equally essential to select and stay with a single tradition, working closely with a qualified teacher who supervises the Sangha.

Teachers

We hope to provide Sangha and teachers to those in the North who are interested in establishing a Buddhist practice and working toward realization of their Buddha nature. At the moment we have two groups that enjoy regular contact with a teacher: a Vipassana group and a Zen group. We are open to sharing our resources with other groups that may form in the future.