UU Buddhist Sangha October 2025
The UU Buddhist sangha will split the October meetings between modern scholarship and an original sutra from the Buddha’s earliest teachings. The first half concludes our reading of BUDDHISM with a afterword by Huston Smith on Pure Land Buddhism. Widely practiced in China, Korea, Vietnam, and Japan, it centers on devotion to the buddha Amitabha, whose unlimited compassion guides beings toward liberation. Why do we need Amitabha’s help? Pure Land Buddhism emphasizes the challenges of practicing in our current age of decline, as described in Mahayana texts.
Mid-month we begin our study of The Dhammapada, a revered Buddhist scripture made up of 423 short verses, grouped into 26 thematic chapters. Each verse captures a slice of the Buddha’s wisdom, spoken not as abstract theory but as practical guidance for daily life. What makes the Dhammapada truly special is its universality. It doesn’t rely on ritual, metaphysical belief, or philosophical jargon. It points, gently and clearly, toward the inner causes of suffering and the possibility of awakening. Sangha members may choose their translation from the Pali with notes and references. Several have been cited by members: Gil Fronsdal, Eknath Easwaran, Ananda Maitreya (Translator) & Thich Nhat Hanh (Foreword).
