MAITRI DORJE SOCIETY is an organization for Lesbians and Gay
Men committed to or interested in following the path of
Buddhism or related meditation-based organizations.
Society participants come together to:
share their understanding and experiences as meditators
of various traditions
practice meditation together
come to know and provide support for like minded
individuals interested in learning more about Buddhism
and meditation.
The Society also endeavors, as resources allow, to address
issues of social justice and illness, especially in the areas
of homophobia and HIV.
Practice
Because the society realizes that the particular meditation
environments of various Buddhist and related organizations
vary greatly, we have selected a style of meditation practice
which is as basic and universal as possible. The unifying
meditation practice of the society is Shamatha Vipassana or
mindfulness practice, that is, sitting silently in the
meditation posture of her or his discipline and following
the breath.
Activities and Organization
The main activities of the Society are monthly meetings of
meditation practice, talks, and discussion; days and evenings
of meditation; participation in the annual Gay Pride March;
and occasional social events.
The Society is not intended to replace in any way the central
role of membership and participation in the sanghas of
particular Buddhist traditions or similar meditation-based
organizations. The society supports and encourages such
participation by making available lists of mediation centers
and schedules of meditation and other activities in various
centers, many of which are listed here.
The society is under the direction of a steering committee
of committed meditation practitioners following their
particular traditions. The committee in turn relies on the
guidance of an advisory board of lesbian and gay senior
meditation practitioners.
Maitri is a Sanskrit word which means basic
friendliness towards oneself and others.
It is the friendliness that leads to compassion.
Dorje is a Tibetan word which, in this context,
is used as an adjective and means indestructible, diamond-like.
