Beatitudes and Bodhisattvas: Practicing Together

Every New Moon and Full Moon at 7:00pm Eastern Time

Overview

Starting in October, CLBSJ will host a bi-monthly interfaith contemplative practice dedicated to exploring scriptures related to moral action as described by Jesus Christ and The Buddha. This bi-monthly gathering of the faithful and the curious will hold space for spiritual practitioners to sit and contemplate together the wisdom of two life-changing texts of ethical and moral guidance: 8 Blessings of the Good Road (The Beatitudes), and 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva. The sessions will convene at 7:00pm Eastern Time on each New Moon and each Full Moon starting on October 10, 2026, and will be led by Sr. Sharifa V. Meytung.

Both written from a place of deep love and compassion for all of creation, these two scriptures hold particular importance for seekers of justice in these urgent times. By engaging them on the new and full moon, we will honor our human connection to nature and its cycles and participate in a process of re-weaving the linkages between our sacred scriptures and indigenous spiritual practices. The new moon sessions will feature readings from The 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva as recorded by the 14th century Buddhist monk, Tokmé Zangpo. The new moon is an auspicious time to focus on these texts, which together provide guidance on how to continually “begin again” at the very basics of ethical living. The full moon sessions will engage Matthew’s version of the Beatitudes as rendered in the First Nations Version (FNV): An Indigenous Bible Translation, in which the Beatitudes are titled “Blessings of the Good Road.” The full moon invites awareness of the fullness of power that is often hidden, and therefore is an auspicious time to focus on the revolutionary ethics outlined in these texts.

“Creator Sets Free (Jesus) lifted up his voice and said to them, ‘I am the light shining on this dark world. The ones who walk with me will not stumble in the darkness but will have the light that gives them life.’” ~ The Gospel According to John 8:12 (FNV)

“A Bodhisattva should not learn many doctrines. If a Bodhisattva thoroughly upholds and thoroughly understands one doctrine, all the qualities of a Buddha are in the palm of his hand. What is that one doctrine? Great compassion.” ~ Dharmasamgiti Sutra

“In the figures of the Christ and the Bodhisattva, Christianity and Buddhism have developed powerful symbols of the ideal possibilities of human nature, operating both as liberating and redemptive forces in the lives of individuals and as sources of inspiration in the quest for a just and compassionate society.” ~ The Christ and the Bodhisattva, edited by Donald S. Lopez, Jr. and Steven C. Rockefeller

Image by Brother Richard Joseph.

Registration

To register, click here. This series is being offered on a donation basis, open to all regardless of ability to pay. If you wish to contribute a gift, you can do so at clbsj.org/donate.

Session Detail

  • New Moon: October 10, 2026, 7:00pm Eastern Time

    37 Practices of a Bodhisattva (Ethical Living)

  • Full Moon: October 25, 2026, 7:00pm Eastern Time

    8 Blessings of the Good Road (The Beatitudes)

  • New Moon: November 09, 2026, 7:00pm Eastern Time

    37 Practices of a Bodhisattva (Ethical Living)

  • Full Moon: November 24, 2026, 7:00pm Eastern Time

    8 Blessings of the Good Road (The Beatitudes)

  • New Moon: December 09, 2026, 7:00pm Eastern Time

    37 Practices of a Bodhisattva (Ethical Living)

  • Full Moon: December 24, 2026, 7:00pm Eastern Time

    8 Blessings of the Good Road (The Beatitudes)

Presenters

Sr. Sharifa Vernice Meytung is a Catholic-Buddhist lay contemplative practitioner who serves as the Contemplative Traditions Advisory for CLBSJ. She is also a teacher of young children; a haijin (writer of haiku poetry) and an abstract painter. She has studied in many community and academic settings, including Catholic Theology at the University of Erfurt, Germany. In the year 2000 she pilgrimed to the Jasna Gora Monastery in Poland, in homage to Our Lady of Czestochowa to whom she devoted her contemplative lay vows in the same year. Read her full bio here.

Co-Sponsors

Music Media Ministry is a Philadelphia-based production company that is pioneering the art form of Sacred Jazz as a worship and praise performance medium, always with a justice focus. You can see a list of their projects at musicmediaministry.com.