The Buddhist Meditation Group is part of our Small Group Ministry program.  The group meets in the Austin Youth Lodge (at the far end of the USG parking lot) on the fourth Sunday of each month from 9:00 AM - 10:50 AM.  Please arrive before 9:00 AM.

To visit, join or get information on the Buddhist Meditation Group at USG, contact Jerry Lindauer at 215-635-6775, or Jaime Preston jpreston915@aol.com.

Meeting Structure
9:00 - 9:05 Taking Refuge
9:05 - 9:30 Sitting Meditation (Zazen)
9:30 - 9:40 Walking Meditation
9:45 - Check-in
9:55 - Shared Reading
10:05 - Sharing
10:40 - Four Bodhisattva Vows

Unitarian Universalism and Buddhism
Like UU’s “free and responsible search for meaning”, Buddhism is non-creedal. In his first mindfulness precept, Thich Nhat Hahn says Buddhist teachings are not doctrines but guiding means to help us develop understanding and compassion. One of the Buddha’s last teachings was to “be a lamp unto yourself”.

The inherent worth and dignity of every person is evident in Buddhist teaching that everything in the universe shares Buddha nature.

The Universalist emphasis on the saving power of love can be seen in the Mahayana Bodhisattva vow to renounce nirvana until all beings are enlightened, and in reverence for Avolokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of great compassion.

UU respect for the interdependent web of all existence mirrors the Buddhist teaching of emptiness, what Thich Nhat Hahn calls inter-being--that everything in the universe exists only in its connection with everything else, and nothing has an absolute separate identity.

UU affinity for Buddhism goes back to Thoreau. There has been an active Unitarian Universalist Budddhist Fellowship for many years. It is still considered an independent affiliate of the UUA.

Sangha and Small Group Ministry
The Buddhist Meditation Group begins each meeting reciting the Three Refuges--taking refuge (trusting) in Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Buddha means “awake”, so we trust in our capacity to be present in this very moment. Dharma means teachings--both particular teachings and all of life’s teaching, since it also means the entire phenomenal world. Sangha means the community of spiritual friends committed to helping each other practice freedom, compassion and understanding.

Meditation
The foundation of the group is meditation practice. We do both sitting and walking meditation. Meditation involves using a certain posture and activity to bring a wholehearted awareness to the present moment without attaching to a particular piece of it, such as a thought. It is a patient letting go of thoughts, expectations, judgments, sensations, etc. to be present to what comes next. It is a simple practice that never ends and is always as close at hand as our breath.

We sit in meditation 25-30 minutes each meeting and walk in mindfulness 10 minutes each meeting.

Some Questions and Answers
Q: Do you have to be Buddhist or a member of the Unitarian Society to join the Meditation group?
A: No. Intention and practice are more important than labels. Involvement with USG is encouraged but not required.

Q: Can I come if I have never meditated before?
A: Yes. Members of the group can give basic instruction in meditation. Just let the facilitator know so arrangements can be made for instruction before the group meets. If 25 minutes of sitting meditation is too much in the beginning, a quiet time out is allowed.

Q: What commitment do I have to make to the group?
A: We welcome people coming and joining us to explore meditation and Buddhism, without making any commitment. However, we also want to support the cohesion of the group. We ask visitors to make decision about a commitment to one year consistent participation, after two visits.

Q: is there any ritual that would be foreign to someone coming?
A: We set up a small altar with a statue of the Buddha, incense, candle and flowers, to create a “reverent” space and to honor our awakened nature. Participants can take part in ritual as they are comfortable.

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