Transcript Slide 1

Rule of Benedict
Benedict (480-547)
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Born in Nursia, Italy
Twin sister Scholastica
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Lived as hermit in Subiaco
Started monastery in Monte Cassino
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Started a convent near him
Bombed and destroyed by US in WWII
Since rebuilt
Model for most monasteries in West
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But note Jesuits are not monks!
Subiaco monastery
Cave of St. Benedict
Abbey of Monte Cassino
Icon of twin brother
and sister
Benedict and
Scholastica
Discussion of Rule
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Why does Benedict value community life? (section 1)
What was monastic life like?
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What problems does he anticipate?
How does he try to prevent such problems, or deal with
them?
What sounds moderate?
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Christ in the Desert monastery, New Mexico:
http://www.christdesert.org/noframes/day/skedules/skedules.ht
ml
What sounds harsh?
What sounds like useful advice in 2006?
For next time
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Chinese Christian sutras
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What sounds distinctively Eastern (Buddhist)?
What sounds similar to Bible and/or Western
Christianity?
Do you think the Eastern adaptation of the
basic message of Jesus is useful? Or does it
change the message?