What roles do reverence and veneration play in our practice? These may be in the form of ‘taking refuge’ in the 3 Jewels (the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha), bowing, chanting, or other ceremonial actions that lead us to a deeper connection with the dharma. Although the Buddha warned of not becoming attached to rites and rituals, when approached skillfully they can have a beneficial role often missing from Buddhist traditions in the West.

In this talk, Trip speaks about being mindful in pursuing the bodhisattva ideal so that we do not seek a reward for performing rituals, as this might lead to disappointment and more suffering. Rather, rituals can be a mysterious doorway to freedom that inclines the mind to wisdom and compassion.
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Trip Weil has been practicing in the Theravadan tradition since 2004. He is a graduate of Spirit Rock’s Community Dharma Leader and Dedicated Practitioner programs. Trip serves on the board of San Francisco Insight, where he also leads sitting groups and teaches meditation classes. He is a psychotherapist in private practice in San Francisco and a former attorney.