FCCUCC Book Group discussion
Living Buddha, Living Christ
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Chapter 1
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I am wondering if it might be possible for us to discuss one chapter at a time? Sometimes I find myself overwhelmed considering all the ideas from more than one chapter at a time. There are a lot of great questions to think about, and the resulting discussion threads can sometimes become difficult to follow. Thoughts?
Mod
I think our independent culture makes it difficult to comprehend interbeing. We are raised to be self-sufficient and feel weak and defeated when we can't handle (by ourselves) whatever is thrown our way. Like TNH said: A flower has no independent, individual existence - and I guess that goes for us, too. There seem to be a lot more walls than bridges. We not only need each other - we kind of are each other. Does that make any sense?
Yes, Lynn, it does make sense that we ARE each other, and that's the point in a nutshell. As Joni Mitchell said, We are stardust! And we are. I loved the yin and yang of the author's explanation that Buddhism is made up of non-Buddhist elements, just as Christianity is made up of non-Chritian elements. It made me think of how God "names" the world into existence and eventually has Adam and Eve name every creature. Naming sets something apart as some new combination of the same elements that are already there, only now they are combined in a new way.
There are so many interesting thoughts to respond to here! Regarding point 4:He calls both Buddha and Jesus his spiritual ancestors. "I can do this because of contact with these real Christians. When you touch someone who authentically represents a tradition, you not only touch his or her tradition, you also touch your own."
I was lucky to have a friend when I was in my 20s who embodied this concept. We were in graduate school together. He was from Thailand and a Buddhist, but I have often said that he was the most Christian person I ever knew. He would literally give a person the shirt off his back. It struck me at the time how seemingly contradictory this was but I understood even then how important it was to remember. No denomination religion has a corner on God-like behavior.
In a similar vein, I felt challenged as TNH described his difficulty in discovering a connection with Jesus Christ due to painful experiences with Christian missionaries who were involved with the colonization of Vietnam. Later TNH writes "It was only later, through friendships with Christian men and women who truly embody the spirit of understanding and compassion of Jesus, that I have been able to touch the depths of Christianity." That is the kind of Christian I long to become more and more of every day.
To Cindy's question about whether one is a fruit salad religious person...I think I'm a melting pot religious person more than a fruit salad sort. It comes from my Lutheran confirmation class experiences in the 60's when the ecumenical movement was going strong in my community. Continued during my early midlife years as a member of a Unitarian church and also through learning about Buddhism from a person close to me during that period. We actually participated in a retreat led by TNH in the 90's. Being at FCC UCC over the past nine+ years has brought me home to my cultural religious origins, i.e. Christianity. And it's good to be home. But I deeply honor other spiritual and religious traditions and have tried to integrate them into my way of being in the world.
Making peace within ourselves before we can make peace with another person...this point that Cindy highlights touched me deeply today as I struggle to come to terms with a recent event in my life in which I was deeply hurt by an in-law. It was easy to instantly forgive her, but it has been challenging to move on. I am going to think a lot about looking for the peace within me as I struggle with this one...
Mod
Cindy, thank you for making the time to write your insights. I think In this particular case my forgiving this person is going to be a process. My in-law has had a most challenging year that had a very sad outcome just two weeks ago. Her hurtful acts toward me were easy for me to quickly forgive given the context of her reality. But hurtful words cannot be unsaid, and that's for me another stage of forgiveness. My hope is this process can occur as she begins to heal from her deep loss and is able to see the loving kindness in this wonderful world.
I really resonate with the idea of "Interbeing", particularly with regard to nature. When I am outside hiking or camping or even just sitting in my own yard, I am often struck how interconnected so much of nature is--a small change in one area can deeply impact everything else in its environment. In the same way, I often think about how my actions in my own small sphere of influence can cause ripples of change that might travel much further than I ever imagined! It definitely adds some gravitas to the often simple (seemingly) choices I must make every day! But I think that is how Jesus calls us to be in the world. Our small actions can shine brightly and reach much further than we had ever dreams. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 15:14
I really like your comment, Dori, about the interconnectedness of nature. The concept of "interbeing" also really resonated with me, and Cindy's question #2 made me laugh at myself a little bit. It is MUCH easier for me to consider viewpoints outside of my tradition (I also like the "fruit salad" description, and Thay's "Fruit salad can be delicious" response). I seem to think that other traditions can provide me with new approaches to the divine that will broaden my own spirituality. Other viewpoints in my own tradition frustrate me. How can they be so wrong? (she says, perfectly aware of the problems with her question and her mindset).
1) Are you a "religious fruit salad" kind of person? What tradition(s) have informed your spirituality?
2) The second precept of the Order of Interbeing says: "Do not think the knowledge you presently possess is changeless, absolute truth." I believe this is true even if one is staying within one religious tradition. Present knowledge should always be open to future revelation. But this is challenging, even within one's own tradition. Is it easier for you to consider different viewpoints within your own tradition or outside of it?
3) The author says the practice of meditation has helped him to protect the sources of his spiritual energy. What protects your spiritual energy? What drains it?
4) He calls both Buddha and Jesus his spiritual ancestors. "I can do this because of contact with these real Christians. When you touch someone who authentically represents a tradition, you not only touch his or her tradition, you also touch your own." Have you experienced this type of "touch"?
5) "Dialogue is not a means for assimilation in the sense that one side expands and incorporates the other into its 'self.' Dialogue must be practiced on the basis of 'non-self.'" What does this mean for us in religion? What does this mean for us in other areas of our lives (work, family, church life, etc.)?
6) "Our capacity to make peace with another person and with the world depends very much on our capacity to make peace with ourselves. If we are at war with our parents, our family, our society or our church, there is probably a war going on inside us also." Have you seen this at play in your own life, or in the life of others? What about the racial tension and divide within our country? Is it a reflection of the lack of peace within ourselves?
7) In talking about Interbeing, the author says that when we look at a flower, we can see everything else in the cosmos in it--clouds, sunshine, time, etc. The flower then "inter-is" with everything else in the universe. Have you ever felt this kind of interconnection?