Gift – RCS

Pavel Dmitrievich Lenkov PhD of History, assistant professor, Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia, Department of the history of religions and theology (naberezhnaya reki Moiki, 48/20, Saint-Petersburg, Russia, 191186)
p-lenkov@yandex.ru

Lenkov P. D. Social ministry in Buddhism: analysis of relevant concepts, Religiya. Tserkov’. Obshchestvo. Issledovaniya i publikatsii po teologii i religii [Religion. Church. Society: Research and publications in the field of theology and religious studies], Saint-Petersburg, 2019, vol. 8, pp. 136–159.

doi: 10.24411/2308-0698-2019-00008

Language: Russian

This article tries to answer the question, whether the concept of «social ministry» is applicable in the case of Buddhism. The article analyzes some examples of the consideration of «gift/giving» and «social ministry» in the Buddhist canonical and post-canonical texts, and draws a comparison of the ideas of social ministry in Buddhism and Christianity is made. Since the basic doctrinal points of Buddhism radically different from the Christian, the Christian concept of social ministry and comparable Buddhist concepts differ considerably. Thus, the social ministry in Buddhism is not understood as a service to God. However, the social service in the sense of charity and works of mercy has always been present in Buddhism. Conceptually, the Buddhist «social ministry» can be seen as a doctrine of gift/giving and the ministry of an exemplary Buddhist ruler. These concepts are considered on the basis of Buddhist canonical and post-canonical texts, namely the sutta «Lion’s roar of the world-holder» from the Pali Canon and Vasubandhu’s treatise «Encyclopedia of the Abhidharma» («Abhidharmakosha», 4–5th centuries). The Mahayana ideal of the Bodhisattva and the concept of great compassion (mahakaruna) also had a significant impact on charity and mercy in the countries of the spread of Buddhism. Between Buddhism and Christianity, if we consider them in the aspect of social ministry and charity, there are also similarities. First and foremost is the idea of compassion and mercy towards those who suffer. Both the Christian and Buddhist texts say about the value of such actions and the reward for them.

Key words: social ministry, Buddhism, Christianity, gift, giving, model of society, Dharma, chakravartin, Mahayana, great compassion (mahakaruna)

URL: http://rcs-almanac.ru/en/lenkov-2019-en/

pdf

Petr Ivanovich Bylico PhD in theology, associate professor, The Orthodox Institute of Religion studies and Church Arts (15 linia Vasilievskogo Ostrova, dom 2, St. Petersburg, Russia, 199034), IvanBulyko@yandex.ru

Bylico P. I. The teaching of Denis Péteau on sanctification, Religiya. Tserkov’. Obshchestvo. Issledovaniya i publikatsii po teologii i religii [Religion. Church. Society: Research and publications in the field of theology and religious studies], Saint-Petersburg, 2015, vol. 4, pp. 18–33.

doi: 10.24411/2308-0698-2015-00002

Language: Russian

The article studies a scholastic theaching of Denis Pétau whose theology deals with the question of sanctification of a man. The author gives an accurate account of his viewpoints. According to Peteau, sanctification is the exceptional property of the Holy Spirit. This statement is grounded in the specifics of the latter among other Persons of the Holy Trinity. Spirit is substantially present in souls of men. Denis Pétau sees such inhabitation as a New Testament reality. Although the righteous of the Old Testament was also given by the Holy Spirit, it wasn’t His visible mission. Speaking on sanctification, the theologian makes reference to Cyril of Alexandria, who used the term “ousiados’’ to signify ounion of the Divine and human natures. Denis Pétau tries to extend this principle, explaining union between God’s and man`s souls, but faces some difficulties, that are also analysed in the article.

Key words: sanctification, Holy Spirit, substantial union, filiation, justification, Gift, Divine missions, created grace, Uncreated Grace, soul

URL: http://rcs-almanac.ru/bylico-i-p-2015-en/