sangha
The sangha was begun by Rodney Smith in 1980. Rodney ordained with Mahasi Sayadaw in Burma, then practiced for three years with Ajahn Buddhadasa in Thailand. In 1983 he disrobed as a monk. (No stigma attaches to this for Buddhists.) Returning to the West, he began working in hospice care and teaching Vipassana meditation throughout the U.S.
The sangha has continued to meet every Monday evening from 7 to 9 p.m.since Rodney’s departure from Houston in 1983. The sangha also sponsors retreats at the Margaret Austin Center (macenter.org) two or three times each year.
Weekly Sittings
Weekly sittings are held each Monday night from 7–8:30 pm at First Unitarian Universalist Church, 5200 Fannin Street. Sittings are led by Ginger Clarkson, a Community Dharma Leader trained by Jack Kornfield and other teachers at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in California. A dharma talk or reading will follow a period of silent meditation.
To attend sittings, enter the church through the courtyard facing Fannin Street, and proceed to the Fireside Room. Parking is available on Southmore Street, or in the adjacent parking lots. Chairs will be provided, but please bring your own cushion or bench if you would prefer to sit on the floor.