Clouds in Water Zen Center
The Dewdrop Digest
Connecting Children, Youth and Sangha
Sunday, October 17, 2004
Spiritual Heroines
Our theme for fall quarter is "Spiritual Heroism and Inter-being". Last Sunday, in many of our classes, we wondered, what makes a heroine? Physical bravery? Caring? Helping others? Does there need to be an action? A sacrifice?
Today we begin to look at those special heroes that we call spiritual heroes. Some are historical, some living, some mythic, some are rooted in folktales, fairytales or religious practice. Fairly well known real-life examples might be Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, the Dalai Lama, Sojourner Truth, Thich Nhat Hanh, Aung San Suu Kyi.
What are the special qualities of the spiritual heroine? Like all heroes, they are caring and courageous. Beyond this, they have discovered an inner truth, something that brought them peace, joy and freedom. They devote themselves to sharing this truth with others, sometimes making great sacrifices to accomplish this. They are people that we admire, learn from, and model ourselves after.
In Mahayana Buddhism, the theme of spiritual heroism is well-developed in the form of the bodhisattva: one who vows to become enlightened for the sake of all beings, who helps us discover perfect peace, and who foregoes nirvana until all living beings are free. Jizo, Kuan Yin, Tara, Avalokiteshvara and Maitreya are famous bodhisattvas. Future Dewdrops will talk about each of these.
In my (Katharine's) family, we teach that these are beings that we can go to for help, that they watch over us and are ready at all times to protect and assist us. Whether you perceive them as actual entities or not, many people find that prayer and devotional practice softens the heart and uplifts the body-mind.
The 4th and 5th grade class is learning about Kuan Yin, China's greatest expression of the feminine in Buddhism, and devotional practice to her. Kannon, or Kanzeon, is Kuan Yin's Japanese counterpart; chanting Kanzeon is a familiar aspect of our liturgy here. A small shrine to Kuan Yin, "She Who Hears the Cries of the World", is located in the Zendo, amongst the plants on the far right. The 4th and 5th graders are using her image during class, but please visit there any other time. This image is from my home, and today we will also bring an image of a seated Kuan Yin.
Of course, for most Buddhists, Buddha is the ultimate spiritual hero!! Let us also not forget the many teachers who have transmitted the Buddhadharma to us. In particular, I want to evoke the name of Buddha's step-mom, Mahapajapati, by whose courage and tenacity the lineage of female practitioners was founded.
Gandhi movie: 6pm, Friday, November 12
On Friday, November 12 at 6pm, Jeff Kelley will host, in his south Minneapolis home, a screening of the film Gandhi for students in Middle School and in 4th-5th grade class. High School students are welcome as well. Gandhi is an incredible spiritual hero in our time, and this movie does a wonderful job of illuminating his vision and deepest hopes for freedom and non-violence. Parents: be aware that there are two brutal scenes in the movie, depicting violence done to peaceful demonstrators - it is not gory, but it is disturbing that humans could treat each other this way. We will pause before each one so that students who wish to can go to a break area, and will pause after to discuss what we saw and it significance.
This week's Home Practice is very similar to last week's: Please include it in your family life over the next two weeks:
Students: Be on the look out for people and deeds that you admire - in stories, TV, and real life. Ideas for "show-and-tell" - jot down the title, bring the magazine, draw a picture, make a collage, write a skit, bring a photograph, or have a story to tell.
Parents: Out loud, "catch" yourself, your children and others in heroic acts - e.g., patience with a small child, meeting a learning or physical challenge, owning one's feelings and responsibility in a quarrel.
Families and students: Get a book or see a movie about a Heroine or Spiritual Hero.
Families, individuals and students: Before bed, review with yourself (and possibly together, as a family) how you (and other family members) were heroic peacemakers. If there was a situation where you yourself acted in a way that was decidedly less than heroic, visualize, in detail, exactly how you'd like to re-do the scenario so that your heroic qualities are actualized and your words and deeds contribute to the well-being of yourself and those around you. Encourage your children to try the visualization; use your own judgment as to what age you would suggest this; it worked well for us starting at age 8 or 9. Carry the images of your actual and imagined peacemaking as you go to sleep.
Extra credit: Discuss, wonder, explore: Who are your personal spiritual heroines? Who are our cultural spiritual heroes and do they resonate with you? Do Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars fit into this discussion?
Question, idea, concern? Contact Children's and Youth Practice Coordinator Katharine Krueger at 651-222-6968 x10 or
cp@cloudsinwater.org.
posted by webmaster on 10/17/2004 11:18:00 AM | link
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