Heart of Christianity Sunday School Lesson at First United Methodist Church in San Diego, California, United States "LIVING BUDDHA; LIVING CHRIST"
THICK NHAT HANH
CHAPTER 5
MINDFULNESS OF WORKING
How can you work & still be in a contemplative mood or meditative state at the same time? How can we make this happen on a day to day basis?
MONASTIC CULTURE
What did Merton mean when he said a monastery is a place where insight is transformed to action? Have you ever been on any kind of monastic retreat? Did you experience insight, calm/peace?
If you went on a retreat now, do you think you could practice mindfulness in a more effective way? How?
COMMUNITY AS A REFUGE
Do you think this group could produce a Sangha?
What does Hanh mean when he says refuge in the Sangha is not a matter of devotion, but a matter of practice.
In what ways might practicing with a Sangha transform suffering?
COMMUNITY AS A BODY
How is the Buddhist Sangha similar to a strong, deep Christian community? How is it different?
What makes our group a “Christian body?” How can we bring forth Christ in ourselves?
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE SOUL OF THE CHURCH
What is “the spirit of the non-self?”
Hanh refers to “practice the precepts well,” “realize deep concentration & understanding,” & “arriving at liberation from afflictions.” What does this mean to you?
Hanh says if we want to renew the church we need to bring the energy of the Holy Spirit into it. How do we do that?
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE ENERGY OF LOVE & UNDERSTANDING
Hanh says if there is no tolerance, happiness, understanding, or love, we have a false Sangha, a false church. Discuss.
TO BE REAL SALT
What is the difference between practicing Jesus’ teachings in written or oral form versus practicing what he lived?
ARE WE PRACTICING THE TRUE TEACHING?
How do we make Jesus’ teaching real in our church (the mystical body of Christ) today?
JESUS NEEDS CHRISTIANS
Christians need Jesus, but how does Jesus need Christians?
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