The Monastic Encounter

Abstract

As I reported in the Society for Buddhist-Christian Studies Newsletter (no. 4, Fall 1989), I have, at Morris Augustine's request, replaced him as International Coordinator of the Buddhist-Christian Monastic and Contemplative Encounter of the Society. I have agreed to serve for two years, or until the end of the next International Buddhist-Christian Conference, whichever comes sooner. I have received the files (partly on disk and partly as hard copy) from Morris and, as I initiate the process of constructing database for the group,* it appears that most of the members are monastics, while those few of us who, like me, are not, are closely associated with monastics. Therefore, I propose to shorten the cumbersome name to Monastics Group (of, it may be understood, but need not be explicitly stated, the Society for Buddhist-Christian Studies). If anybody objects to this change, or has better suggestion, please contact me. The most dramatic news in the world of Buddhist-Christian monastics must be the announcement, on October 5, 1989, in Oslo, of the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to H.H. Dalai Lama XIV. This recognition of monastic as not only man of peace but also major political figure, should make it clear that monasticism, while based in contemplation, results in compassionate action. As Vietnamese Buddhist monk said to group of Benedictines and Cistercians, common ground between [Buddhist and Christian] monasticism is infinite compassion, and the desire to live in accordance with that compassion. That quotation is translated (with emphasis added) from an account in the bulletin for French-speaking European monastics, Dialogue Interreligieux Monastique (no. 3, November 1989), of meeting that took place during colloquium in Limon between May 22 and 25, 1989. The same issue of the bulletin has report on the activities of the Groupe Asie of La-Pierre-qui-Vire (a Benedictine Abbey of Primitive Observance), which has moved from halting contact with two Korean Buddhist monks to close ties with the neighboring (100 km.) Tibetan community of Kagyu Ling. Just after the colloquium in Limon (May 27-28, 1989) the monks of La-Pierre-qui-Vire joined the Tibetan community in weekend of prayer, meditation and discussion, described by Father de Give as a happy 'first' of genuine receptivity and listening. News is also given of the visit of H.E. Tai Situ Rinpoche (one of four high lamas acting