Unitarian Universalist
Buddhist Fellowship of Fayetteville
|
|
Unitarian Universalist
|
|
|
|
NEWS AND EVENTS
|
by James S. Ownbey
For folks with no experience or training in meditation, the information below provides a simple and basic introduction to samatha (calm abiding) meditation. There are many different meditation techniques, and some of them can become quite arduous and advanced; but almost all meditative traditions begin with a mastery of calm abiding as the foundation for advanced practice. The information below is a good summary of what we would tell you if you walked into one of our meetings and asked us how to meditate.
by James S. Ownbey
Buddhist practice is one of the fastest growing spiritual movements within modern Unitarian Universalism. The Reverend James Ford, a prominent UU minister and Zen priest, suggests that "possibly as many as ten percent of UUs consider themselves Buddhist -- or at the very least, seriously influenced by Buddhism … the percentage is possibly even higher among the clergy." The national UU Buddhist Fellowship lists 96 UU-affiliate Buddhist practice groups in the U.S. and Canada, with new groups being added every month. The words of the Buddha and the words of contemporary Buddhist teachers like the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, Lama Surya Das, Pema Chodron, D. T. Suzuki, Alan Watts, and others are regularly spoken from UU pulpits across the country. What accounts for this marriage of ancient Buddhism with modern Unitarian Universalism? ... more
by James S. Ownbey
Within its ethical framework, Buddhism recognizes ten "non-virtuous actions", consisting of three physical acts of the body, four actions performed by speech, and three performed by thought. The physical non-virtuous acts are: 1) killing any living being; 2) stealing, or taking anything of value that is not freely given; and 3) sexual misconduct (very generally, any sexual act that results in harm to oneself or to another living being). The non-virtuous speech acts consist of: 1) lying (intentionally giving a wrong impression regarding your beliefs or knowledge); 2) divisive speech (speech designed to create conflict between two or more persons); 3) harsh speech (speech motivated by anger or hostility); and 4) idle speech, or gossip. The non-virtuous thoughts are: 1) craving, similar to the Old Testament concept of covetousness; 2) ill-will, or wishing bad things to happen to people or taking pleasure at others' misfortunes; and 3) wrong view, an incorrect understanding of the nature of reality, which leads to the performance of the previous nine non-virtuous actions. ... more
by D. Jasmine Merced-Ownbey
The mind tricks us every day. It makes us feel as though time is racing or dragging by; it makes us feel hungry for tasty desert even after a large dinner; it imposes opinions and reactive sentiments on the actions of others. The subjectivism of the unfocused mind propels us through life with no clear sense of reality. When we pause and direct the mind to consider the nature of existence, indeed to consider the nature of our selves, the delusions with which we live give way to lucidity. This pausing and redirection of the mind occurs through meditation. ... more
by Geshe Langri Tangpa (1054-1123)
With the heartfelt desire and determination to attain enlightenment / For the welfare of all living beings, who are more precious than a / Wish-fulfilling jewel for accomplishing the supreme goal, / May I always cherish them and hold them dear. ... more
|
|
In affiliation with
The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fayetteville
901 West Cleveland Street
Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701