By BRANDY KIDD

One month ago, FCM enjoyed its Mahasangha event.  In Buddhism, the term “maha” signifies “great.” This descriptor certainly held true on multiple levels! It was a deeply meaningful weekend celebrating both our teacher’s 80th continuation day, and FCM’s 30th anniversary. Old friendships were rekindled and new ones were forged. To me, it felt deeply and joyfully connected (shared conversations over meals, dancing, beautiful music, chats in the garden), all united by a love for The Three Jewels: Buddha, Dharma, Sangha.          

And for me, as someone who practices primarily with FCM’s Naples Sangha, our “maha” gathering was also great in its powerful demonstration that indeed, we are all the leaves of one tree (to quote the lovely Plum Village song).

There are not two FCM sanghas, Tampa and Naples. There is one sangha with different branches on the same tree of refuge. We share the same history, the same teacher, the same lineage, the same dedication to the cultivation of understanding and love. 

And to cultivate that sense of unity, it is vitally important that we spend time 

From left, Alex Lerner, Angie Parrish and Brandy Kidd

 give an oral history of FCM's 30 years.

 together!  What a joy to see new and longstanding Naples sangha members immersed in the warmth, the conviviality, the selflessness of the buddha field that is the Tampa branch of our sangha. Likewise, when our Tampa-based brothers and sisters visit the Naples branch, the comments are often appreciative of the atmosphere, the close-knit energy of this smaller, bonded group of practitioners.

As I shared during the Friday morning panel during our celebration weekend, I had the amazing privilege of being part of FCM’s origin story 30 years ago. In the fall of 1995, having been told that Fred was a student of Thich Nhat Hanh, and then reading Thay’s book, A Joyful Path, about sangha-building, I called him to ask if he knew of a sangha in our area. He said, “People keep asking me that.  Let’s have a Day of Mindfulness!” And so it began.  

When Fred felt the call to reach a larger audience and moved to the Tampa/St. Pete area, the Naples branch continued to meet weekly and has done so without cease ever since. Many brothers and sisters have rotated as leaders of the Naples branch of our sangha, stoking the fires of Buddha, Dharma, Sangha energy with love and dedication. Many more brothers and sisters offer selfless service consistently and joyfully.  

Often in Naples I’m heard to encourage: “Please visit the center in Tampa! Attend a selfless service workday. Attend a Day of Mindfulness! Attend a retreat!” and when in Tampa: “Please come practice with us in Naples!” That cross-pollination is key. We inter-are. Yet truly: we are one sangha, united in a culture of interbeing, of love for this beautiful path.

Brandy Kidd is leader of the Naples Sangha and is a licensed clinical social worker in Naples.