Little Forest Zen Sangha is a lay Buddhist group based in Indianapolis, IN, USA. We are a place where people can practice sincerely without trouble and actualize Buddhism by studying, experimenting with, and applying Buddhism in everyday life. We emphasize the Sixteen Bodhisattva Vows, meditation practice, and community care. Our practices and traditions come from Vietnamese and Zen Buddhist traditions. We believe that Buddha Nature is inherent in all living beings, human and non-human.
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What is a sangha?
In one sense, a sangha is our practice community, a group of people who care for one another and mutually support one another through the practice and actualization of Buddhism. This practice and actualization happens through living the Sixteen Bodhisattva Vows and regular meditation practice. Sangha is a Sanskrit word that every Buddhist culture has borrowed.
In ancient times, and in some places today, the word referred to communities of monastics who lived apart and away from both ordinary people and worldly life, entirely devoted to living lives according to vinaya, extensive monastic codes of conduct that include what are now our Sixteen Vows, but also hundreds more.
We, on the other hand, are everyday people. Everyone in our sangha is a layperson, living ordinary lives in relationship with our family members, friends, coworkers, and others who do not practice Buddhism. We take on myriad worldly responsibilities and learn all sorts of worldly lessons that are beyond imagination. Buddhism helps us to see and understand what is right in front of our faces. It belongs to all of us and, through vow and practice, free us from our delusions and illusions, and liberate our Great Friendship and Great Compassion . Put another way, it frees us to be excellent to each other.
Sangha is the third of the Three Jewels of Buddhism, a refuge for people.
I take refuge in Sangha and vow to practice with others in mutual support and extend care into the wider circle of persons, both human and non-human.
This vow reveals that responsibility of care and support does not end with just the people we are practicing with. Our practice includes seeing the dignity and personhood in all living beings: humans, other animals, plants, etc.. Part of our practice is to remember everyone and take no one for granted. So, another sense of the word is that sangha is inclusive of all beings.
Our People
Dharma Teacher
The Dharma Teacher is the lead clergy position of Little Forest Zen Sangha. The person in this role establishes the spiritual practice of the organization, implements the practice schedule, trains Practice Leaders and Facilitators, chooses their successor, and serves as a non-voting, ex-officio member of the board.
Please click on Tony’s photo to read his bio.
Board Members
Board Members are responsible for the governance, operation, management, and assets of the Little Forest Zen Sangha organization. They are regular attendees of our practices who have accepted the Sixteen Bodhisattva Vows. Our bylaws further outline the responsibilities of the Board and Board Members. Board meetings are open to all sangha members.
Legal Information
Little Forest Zen Sangha Inc (EIN 42-4169989) is a Religious Nonprofit Corporation registered in the State of Indiana in 2026. We are pursuing 501(c)(3) status with the IRS.
Statement of Purpose
This sangha is organized exclusively for religious, charitable, and educational purposes within the meaning of IRC Section 501(c)(3), such as regularly holding public zen meditation practices and talks, promoting the study of Buddhist sutras, frameworks, and other text, organizing community care through mutual aid, charity, and other means, and preparing people to lead practices.
Bylaws and Conflict of Interest Policy
An attorney at Charitable Allies, and Indianapolis-based law firm specializing in nonprofit law, wrote our bylaws and Conflict of Interest Policy.
