Tag: 3rdF

The purpose of this AO is to push the PAX along their journey in developing the 3rd F – Faith.  We recognize that PAX are at their own place on the journey and proceed at their own pace.  PAX are encouraged to share.  It is not required to share (wise men learn by listening), but there is a requirement to allow others to share.  What is shared in this 3rd F stays with the 3rd F; it is a COT.  None of the PAX has a monopoly on the truth, though we are all truth seekers.  It is fine to disagree.  If there are not disagreements, then we are probably doing it wrong.

This 3rd F event:

1.       Is free of charge.
2.       Is a discussion based on faith and open to all men.
3.       Is peer led by volunteer Qs who may or may not be certified/ordained.

The topic: Finding common ground in faith: Focus on Biblical and Buddhist ideology.

Baseline for the discussion:
Counts..
535 Million Buddhist followers (believed to be a suppressed number by Chinese government)
2.5 Billion Biblical followers.

How the life stories of Buddha and Jesus are similar.

•            Conceived in a miraculous manner
•            Similar names of mother (Maya for Buddha, Mary for Jesus)
•            Was a bit of a child prodigy
•            Underwent a long period of fasting while traveling alone
•            Tempted by, but overcame, the devil
•            Began an itinerant ministry around the age of 30
•            Had disciples who traveled with him.
•            Performed miracles, such as curing blindness and walking on water
•            Renounced worldly riches and required his disciples to do so also
•            Rebelled against the religious elite (Brahmans for Buddha and Pharisees for Jesus)
•            Dispatched disciples, shortly before his death, to spread his message

While Buddhism is based primarily on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (a spiritual teacher from India who lived from approximately 563BC to 483BC and is known as the Buddha or enlightend one), Buddhism incorporates a variety of religious traditions, beliefs and practices. Like Hinduism, Buddhism provides no singular unified view about Jesus, although a number of Jesus’ characteristics are described by many Buddhists.

Jesus Was An Enlightened Man
Most Buddhists acknowledge and respect the fact Jesus lived a self-sacrificial life and had compassion on those who were in spiritual need. This kind of compassion is seen by Buddhists to be the key to happiness and enlightenment. For this reason, many Buddhists, including the 14th century Zen master, Gasan Jōseki, refer to Jesus as an “enlightened man”.

Jesus Was A Wise Teacher
Most Buddhists also respect the teaching of Jesus to a high degree, especially Jesus’ teaching related to loving one’s neighbor and the need to demonstrate kindness and forgiveness. His teaching related to compassion, for example, impressed the Dalai Lama greatly. Jesus is seen as someone who possessed the correct perspective on life and his teaching helped others to embrace the truth. Some Buddhists including the 14th Dali Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, have even recognized Jesus as a ” bodhisattva” (one who dedicates his life sacrificially to the service and betterment of others). While Jesus is seen as a wise teacher, He is not seen as divine.

Jesus Was a Holy Man
The current Dalai Lama often describes Jesus as a “holy man” and includes Jesus in his list of such people. In fact, the Dalai Lama does not typically elevate Buddha to a greater status than Jesus when discussing the two figures. The Dalai Lama met frequently with the Pope in the early part of the 21st century and showed great respect for the teaching and person of Jesus Christ.

The Questions:
Are the man Jacob wrestled with, Siddhartha Gautama, and Jesus all incarnations of the same Spirit brought forth at the exact time and place when needed?

God did not create Religion.. Man did.  Why does man paint themself in a tiny box and label it when they all have the same desire to get to an Afterlife that is peaceful and whole?

Is the afterlife segmented like our physical life?  Is there multiple heavens or does the division of man’s faiths disappear when we leave this current life?

The Answers are COT… and what is said in COT stays in COT.  If you want to know more, join in on the next 3rd F on 8/3 when we continue our Faith journey.

Thank you for letting Homer and YHC lead today.

v/r
John (Gypsy) Boles

We logged in for this 3rd F event and had 5 F3 brothers discuss how the COVID-19 Pandemic has effected them, their families, the way they see the world now. Was there negative issues, positive results and what helped them cope to the present time.

This was a healthy discussion and we learned more about one another. Very special and engaging!

It was great seeing you and we look forward to the next 3rd F event in two weeks. See you in the gloom….Cheers, CB!!

A PAX of two met on Zoom for 3rd F. To account for over preparing last time, YHC underprepared.

YHC had prepared a bit of trivia about some of the “bizarre” stories of the Bible. Florence’s knowledge of the scriptures is stunning. It was great to get to know him a bit better. Where two or more are gathered…

Put the next 3rd F on your calendar: June 22nd at 8pm on Zoom.

Any ideas for multi-access/HyFlex gatherings? Send them my way. Perhaps we could take this 3rd F on the road and have a blend of in-person and virtual attendance.

Disclaimer:
The purpose of this AO is to push the PAX along their journey in developing the 3rd F – Faith.  We recognize that PAX are at their own place on the journey and proceed at their own pace.  PAX are encouraged to share.  It is not required to share (wise men learn by listening), but there is a requirement to allow others to share.  What is shared in this 3rd F stays with the 3rd F; it is a COT.  None of the PAX has a monopoly on the truth, though we are all truth seekers.  It is fine to disagree.  If there are not disagreements, then we are probably doing it wrong.

This 3rd F event:

• Is free of charge,
• Is a discussion based on the Christian faith, but is open to all men,
• Is peer led by volunteer Qs who may or may not be certified/ordained.

The Thang:

The PAX discussed connections between the Tower of Babel, where God/the gods scattered everyone to speak different languages and Pentecost, where people of different backgrounds could understand one another. What was different? Also, YHC took the discussion “off the rails” in typical fashion.

Prayers for Tobit’s grandmother and family. Great to have EF Hutton back in the gloom and on Zoom!

Disclaimer:
The purpose of this AO is to push the PAX along their journey in developing the 3rd F – Faith.  We recognize that PAX are at their own place on the journey and proceed at their own pace.  PAX are encouraged to share.  It is not required to share (wise men learn by listening), but there is a requirement to allow others to share.  What is shared in this 3rd F stays with the 3rd F; it is a COT.  None of the PAX has a monopoly on the truth, though we are all truth seekers.  It is fine to disagree.  If there are not disagreements, then we are probably doing it wrong.

This 3rd F event:

• Is free of charge,
• Is a discussion based on the Christian faith, but is open to all men,
• Is peer led by volunteer Qs who may or may not be certified/ordained.

THE THANG :

Each PAX shared their spiritual background, when they started seeking God, and where they’re at now on their spiritual journey.

Common Themes :

1. Every PAX had bad experiences with religion and good experiences with religion.
2. We’ve all made mistakes.
3. There came a time when each PAX wanted to seek God for themselves rather than what someone told them.
4. We are all still on a faith journey.

QIC appreciates each PAX being vulnerable to share their own unique experience with God. They didn’t have to share but they did. This topic was a great ice breaker because this was only QIC’s third 3F post so QIC is still getting to know a lot of PAX. Hearing about others’ spiritual backgrounds helps QIC to understand the PAX in a deeper way to know where they’re coming from. It will help navigate QIC for future 3F Q’s.

3rd F is quickly becoming my favorite of the 3 F’s in the RVA region. Don’t get me wrong.. YHC loves seeing you guys in the Gloom.. but the mumble chatter while rolling around in the middle of freshly manured spring field has nothing on the 1 hour of COT that we have in the 3rd F.
It is a COT.. so what is said in 3rd F says in 3rd F. But this is what we covered.

Disclaimer:
The purpose of this AO is to push the PAX along their journey in developing the 3rd F – Faith.  We recognize that PAX are at their own place on the journey and proceed at their own pace.  PAX are encouraged to share.  It is not required to share (wise men learn by listening), but there is a requirement to allow others to share.  What is shared in this 3rd F stays with the 3rd F; it is a COT.  None of the PAX has a monopoly on the truth, though we are all truth seekers.  It is fine to disagree.  If there are not disagreements, then we are probably doing it wrong.

This 3rd F event:

• Is free of charge,
• Is a discussion based on the Christian faith, but is open to all men,
• Is peer led by volunteer Qs who may or may not be certified/ordained.

We started with: Who is Jesus?
Mark:  8:27
“Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?“

Responses: A man?
A Prophet?
The Savior?
The Bridge?
The Son of God? (so is Solomon and Israel once he was no longer Jacob)
The Holy Spirit in the Flesh?
God?
Interesting claim:  “‘Son of God’ was a classical term for someone whose father was unknown. Jesus was called ‘the son of God’ because that was a term that mothers called their children when they didn’t know who the father was. There was no great mystical or religious significance to the term, as the churches try to claim today.”

Why are you searching for Him? 
Have you found Him or have you found what you hope is him? Are you looking because it was others want you to do or are you seeking for yourself.
Luke 2:49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”

John 11:25:  “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;”

Thank you for allowing me to lead.
v/r
John (Gypsy) Boles