FCCUCC Book Group discussion
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Living Buddha, Living Christ
Living Buddha, Living Christ
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Chapter 4
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Cindy, it seems like the quote you like so much in #3 directly applies to your point in #2. Jesus was our example of how to be truly alive, which is how we humans can express divinity. I especially appreciated TNH's insight regarding Jesus as The Way. It always bothered me that belief in Jesus as Christ was the ONLY "way" to heaven, but if we look at it the way the author does, it is the life that Jesus led as an example to us that is The Way. It does not smack so much of exclusion when you look at it this way - more an open door rather than a gate that requires admission.
Your thought in #5 just makes me smile. It WOULD make a difference if each one of us thought we were destined for great things. This is the role of a good family - to see the potential in a child and expect great things. We all deserve that and have the power to give it to someone else.
I had to read this chapter a couple times, and I still think I have more to glean from it. I love the idea of the many dharma doors, and I think that if Christianity had incorporated this sort of idea from the beginning that the world would be a much more peaceful place (although it would have made it more difficult for Christianity to grow). I do believe that God sends different messengers to different cultures. Christ is ours, or mine rather. There is a point in this chapter, I think, where TNH talks about how the idea of Jesus as the only son of God was a bit off because we are ALL sons and daughters of God, and that is something I've always kind of struggled with too.
My favorite part of this chapter is the final paragraph: "There is a person whose appearance on earth is for the well-being and happiness of all. Who is that person? For Buddhists, that person is the Buddha. For Christians, that person is Jesus Christ. Through your daily life, you can help that person continue, you only need to walk in mindfulness, making peaceful, happy steps on our planet. Breathe deeply, and enjoy your breathing. Be aware that the sky is blue and the birds' songs are beautiful. Enjoy being alive and you will help the living Christ and the living Buddha continue for a long, long time."It all sounds so easy!
I completely agree with the quote in Cindy's first question. To my mind, being a Christian by exemplifying and reflecting Jesus' way of being on the planet is far more essential than having faith in the Resurrection and in Eternity.
1) "For me, the life of Jesus is His most basic teaching, more important than even faith in the resurrection or faith in eternity." Do you agree? Why or why not?
2) TNH says Buddha "was human, but, at the same time, he became an expression of the highest spirit of humanity." I have often wondered if Jesus was divine because he was more fully human than most, more fully embodied and whole. What are your thoughts?
3) "We do not have to die to arrive at the gates of Heaven. in fact, we have to be truly alive." I don't really have a question--I just like the quote!
4) In the Gospel of John, Jesus reportedly describes himself as a door. Buddha is also described as a door. The major difference is that many Christians believe Jesus is the only door, and such a belief would be contradictory to Buddhists. TNH says "We should not be afraid of more Dharma doors--if anything, we should be afraid that no more will be opened." Do you believe there are many Christs? Or many Jesus-es but only one Christ? Something else?
5) TNH shares the story of a sage who recognized in the infant Siddhartha his future role as a world teacher. The same thing happened to Jesus. TNH says "Whenever I read the stories of Asita and Simeon, I have the wish that every one of us could have been visited by a sage when we were born." I love that idea, especially the idea that a prophet or a sage would have looked at us and seen glorious things in our future. What a difference that would make, if we knew.
6) "For a Buddhist to be attached to any doctrine, even a Buddhist one, is to betray the Buddha." What beliefs do Christians tend to get "attached to," therefore betraying Jesus?
What other thoughts do you have on the chapter?