Possible to adopt cell group model for Buddhists?

An Eternal Now SG

What's rc group?

Ren Cheng.. my Buddhist organisation. More specifically he's refering to my dharma center. www.humanbliss.com.sg

yamizi SG

Well I'm not sure had mistyblue attended cell group session before but then cell group session is not just another session of talk.

The session would often start with simple praise and worship. Then the cell group leader would open up by reliterate the last sermon. Sometimes, additional bible verses will be supplied to further elaborate the sermon. Everyone will get a chance to speak up what they understand and how they feel about the message. Cell group leader act as a moderator to mould and guide the understanding of its members.

Sometimes they will pray for members who have problems and talk it out in to help to the best of their abilities. In professional counselling, it is important to 'close an issue'. Cell group leader or pastor (if it's serious case, they will have to refer to a pastor who is skilled in counselling as well) will either close the case or reassure by keeping up with the progress of the troubled member.

They can take 'shifts' in visiting hospitalised members so that they don't feel alone but loved and cared. Sometimes if the parent church has activities, these cell groups can be modified into small project group to help bits and pieces. Sometimes the parent church may organised social outing, going to old folks home etc, and these cell groups would go.

So the function of the cell group can be very versatile. The primary function is to create bond among the church's members.

The problem with buddhist gatherings is that it seems that they must always do something in relation to charity. It is not saying that it is not good but you cannot assume that because it is good, then buddhists have to naturally like to come for such activities! The society is ever-changing and that the management skills should be modified to fit to modern context.

Though it is true in the scriptures that we should not criticise the fault of the monks/nuns but definitely it is clear that the Buddha mentioned that we respect monks/nuns not simply by the robe they don but by the virtues they carry. Again I'm not saying that it is wrong to respect them but then you must understand that by the nature of cell group management, it is natural that members will be closer to the cell group members than with the monk.

There was this particular big-shot monk in Singapore who attended a funeral wake. When he arrived, one of his personal assistance announced his arrival and everyone in the wake must stand. Then one of the family members of the deceased offered a cup of tea to him. His assistant asked that family member what tea is that and learning that tea is not what that big-shot monk like, told that guy this big-shot monk doesn't drink this type of tea but the other type (can't remember which kind of chinese tea liao) and made that poor fella to make the tea which the big-shot monk like.

I don't remember Buddha ever refused any dana. Maybe nowadays monks supercede Buddha?

LOL

Spnw07 SG

I agree with yamizi that Buddhist teachings and practices have to be adapted to fit into our modern context. I also think the same in that the primary function of the cell group is to create bond among church's members. For without bond, we would just be like colleagues, where the relationship is mostly utility-based. If there's nothing I think you can help me on, I just ignore you. But if I spot even something wrong with you, I'm very quick to point it out even in full view of others. Surely this is not a healthy environment for one's spiritual or personal growth, isn't it?

Though it is true in the scriptures that we should not criticise the fault of the monks/nuns but definitely it is clear that the Buddha mentioned that we respect monks/nuns not simply by the robe they don but by the virtues they carry. Again I'm not saying that it is wrong to respect them but then you must understand that by the nature of cell group management, it is natural that members will be closer to the cell group members than with the monk.

There was this particular big-shot monk in Singapore who attended a funeral wake. When he arrived, one of his personal assistance announced his arrival and everyone in the wake must stand. Then one of the family members of the deceased offered a cup of tea to him. His assistant asked that family member what tea is that and learning that tea is not what that big-shot monk like, told that guy this big-shot monk doesn't drink this type of tea but the other type (can't remember which kind of chinese tea liao) and made that poor fella to make the tea which the big-shot monk like.

I don't remember Buddha ever refused any dana. Maybe nowadays monks supercede Buddha?LOL

I agree with you that it is natural that members will be close to cell group members than with a venerable cos it is stated explicitly or implicitly, I can't remember, that those of the monastic order should not be too 'familiar' with laymen, even if it's Buddhists.

I do not know whether the above example about the monk is your personal experience. However, I was just mentioning that there was a sutra that says even if it's a greedy man disguising as a monk to ask for monetary alms, giving him money will have some form of positive karma. Much less one who is trying to lead a pure monastic life as passed down from generations.

Hence, I am looking at the issue in two aspects; one non-Buddhist view and the other from a Buddhist perspective.

I have no right to be criticising you (and I have no intention at all to do so), cos I'm a fellow practitioner myself. But I'm just concerned for you and other beginner Buddhists who might be reading this thread.

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