Foundation
"Saddharma Sangha" (Sangha of the True Dharma) is the name of the Sangha in the Zen Monastery Fumonji that was founded on June 23, 2007. Abbot Fumon Nakagawa Roshi lead the solemn ceremony where some 30 people from Germany and 3 neighbouring countries accepted the 21 Shilas and so have become members of the Sangha. Fumonji, a tree that is deeply rooted in spirituality, has now grown the leaves he needs to breathe and live. The tree carries the Sangha, the Sangha carries Fumonji - on the shared path of all with and through Fumon Roshi.

Admission
Admission to the Sangha can be granted after at least one year of practice in Daihizan Fumonji by participating at Zen seminars. The acceptance of the five Shilas is a prerequisite.

Practice and Training
Sangha membership means to practice in Dharma friendship with others under the spiritual guidance of Nakagawa Roshi. When a member asked, if she is his student now that she is a member of the Sangha, Roshi simply answered: "If you come to me you are my student, if you don't come, you are not my student."
When practising the 21 Shilas it is important to make an effort again and again to align one's daily life accordingly. The spiritual exchange takes part in Dharma talks, practice lectures and related text studies of fellow practitioners and lectures by Roshi. The aim is to awaken Bodhicitta and gradually clear one's awareness to understand and see one's own spiritual development as part of the greater whole.

Ways of Training

• During Dharma round tables, for instance during Sangha retreats, members talk about their own Shila practice. These personal reports can contain selected Zen texts and always come from the heart. The focus is on a particular Shila, it is not about abstract reflections but always about one's own life.

• Text round tables are joint Dharma talks with Fumon Roshi about old Zen texts related to Shila practice (f.i. Shinjinmei, Shobogenzo, Sandokai),  as well as the heart sutra or other texts that may be part of study courses in Fumonji.

• The Sangha takes part in the conception and accomplishment of sesshins, retreats, study courses or courses led by Relia Myochi Wecker in the area of wholesome living.

• The practical way of training in Fumonji is the contribution of members of the monastery community to work in kitchen/housekeeping, office or garden. Every member of the Sangha should in future participate in this training once a year.