Children's Program
Children and families are a very important part of the Lion’s Roar Sangha, offering stability, diversity and grounding to Lion’s Roar Sangha practices. Having a Buddhist practice and being actively engaged in family life brings both special challenges and unique opportunities. Lion’s Roar Sunday morning practices provide regular opportunities for family participation.
The Children’s Sangha, meeting coincident with the Sunday classes, was established so that our Sangha members did not have to choose between their practice and spending time with their families. Rather, families come together and connect with other Sangha members before and after the classes and during breaks. During the class sessions, parents can focus on the teachings and practices while the children are allowed to enjoy their own time together.
The Children’s Sangha offers a loving, nurturing and joyous atmosphere for the children. They undertake fun and age-appropriate dharma related activities such as crafts and stories. Mostly, the children play and spend time in nature, creating the setting to allow the inherent enlightened ways to come forth – often much more accessible in children. The Gedatsu Church, where the Sunday programs are held, offers a supportive setting for the Children’s Sangha. The temple has dedicated spaces for the childrens’ inside activities and 20 acres of both landscaped and natural space to roam outside.
The Lion’s Roar Sangha plans other social events with families in mind. Members also simply get together less formally, providing opportunities for weaving our formal practice into daily life.
For more information about family services and activities please contact Ellen Wolfe at 916 791-9157 or ewolfe@resero.com; or Karen Burow at 916 944-8109 or krbf@comcast.net.
"I am very pleased to be able to participate in Lion’s Roar activities with my son. I am so pleased that my son feels comfortable at Lion’s Roar both with the adults and with the other children in the children’s program. We have fun together, it is rewarding for me, and I know my son is in a wholesome environment where he is beginning to get life lessons I did not uncover until I was well into my adult years."
—Ellen Wolfe, Sangha member and mother of Mason, age 7
“Balancing all the activities in my life has been challenging, between work, family, and my Dharma practice, so having activities where my son can participate is a blessing. I can bring my family and formal Dharma practice together in the same place, and my son can feel supported by this community and meet other children from families who follow a similar Buddhist path."
— Karen Burow, Sangha member and mother of Carson, age 10
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