The Rule of St. Benedict: A Commentary in Light of World Ascetic Traditions

by Dreuille, Mayeul De

• ISBN13: 9780809105380
• ISBN10: 0809105381
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-02-01
• Publisher: Paulist Pr

Summary

Looks at elements common to all forms of monasticism, such as the type of superior, the role of good works, the nature of obedience, the use of silence, the idea of hospitality, and more.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Introduction	xi
Signs and Abbreviations	xiv
PART I PRINCIPLES OF MONASTIC LIFE
The Prologue
Presentation of the text	3	(1)
Saint Benedict's own introduction to the Prologue	4	(9)
Commentary on Psalms 33 and 14	13	(12)
The School of the Lord's Service	25	(7)
The different kinds of monk (RB 1)
Pre-Christian forms of monastic life	32	(4)
Different kinds of monk before Saint Benedict	36	(5)
Chapter 1 of RB: The different kinds of monk	41	(8)
What kind of person the Abbot should be Abbot (RB 2 and 64)
Two types of superiors in non-Christian monasticism	49	(2)
Two parallel traditions in primitive Christian monasticism	51	(2)
The RB texts concerning the Abbot	53	(2)
The Abbot: his qualities and role in the monastery	55	(10)
The choice of an Abbot	65	(2)
The guru and the Abbot	67	(3)
Calling the brethren to Council (RB 3)
Evolution of monastic structures compared with contemporary society	70	(5)
The Councils	75	(11)
The tools of good works (RB 4)
Parallel texts in Hinduism and Buddhism	86	(4)
The structure of RB chapter 4	90	(3)
A Christian text	93	(2)
Saint Benedict's own touches	95	(1)
A method of prayer	96	(2)
Authority and obedience
The master-disciple relationship in Hinduism	98	(4)
The master, the Dharma and the Sangha in Buddhism	102	(2)
Master and disciple in Sufism	104	(3)
Authority and obedience in the Christian tradition before Saint Benedict	107	(13)
Authority and obedience in Saint Benedict's Rule	120	(9)
An overview	129	(3)
Control of speech and thoughts
Silence in Hindu monasticism	132	(2)
Silence in Buddhist monasticism	134	(3)
Silent prayer in ancient Egypt	137	(1)
Silence in Christian monasticism before Saint Benedict	138	(10)
Silence in Saint Benedict's Rule	148	(6)
Humility: the path of the mystics
Spiritual progress	154	(9)
The steps of humility in RB	163	(18)
PART II LIFE WITHIN THE MONASTERY
From psalmody to contemplation
The reading and chanting of sacred texts in Hinduism	181	(4)
Psalmody and meditation in Buddhism	185	(4)
Psalmody and contemplation in Christian monasticism	189	(4)
From psalmody to prayer in RB	193	(4)
From psalmody to contemplation in RB	197	(3)
Sacred texts and contemplation, concordances and divergences	200	(5)
The officials of the monastery: Deans, Cellarer, Prior
Officials in Hindu monasticism	205	(1)
Officials in Buddhist monasticism	206	(3)
Officials in Christian monasticism before Saint Benedict	209	(2)
Officials in the Rule of Saint Benedict	211	(7)
An overview	218	(4)
Work
Work in Hindu and Buddhist monasticism	222	(4)
Work in the Christian monastic tradition	226	(20)
The work of the monks	246	(4)
The formation programme
What is formation?	250	(1)
To centre one's life on the Absolute	251	(6)
Control of desires	257	(4)
The formators	261	(19)
Support for the consecrated life: the vows and penal code
The vows	280	(21)
The penal code	301	(11)
Hospitality and enclosure
Hospitality in Hinduism	312	(2)
In Buddhism	314	(2)
The Jewish tradition	316	(2)
The Christian tradition	318	(12)
Saint Benedict	330	(8)
Koinonia: fraternal life in community
Fraternal relations in Hinduism	338	(4)
The Buddhists	342	(4)
Fraternal life in the Christian tradition	346	(9)
The community in Saint Benedict's rule	355	(6)
The specific Christian character of Koinonia	361	(4)
List of Sources	365	(8)
Index	373