Buddhist Voices in Unitarian Universalism

by Wayne Arnason (Editor), Sam Trumbore (Editor)

Both the seven principles and the six sources of Unitarian Universalism affirm and encourage Unitarian Universalists in exploring world faith traditions while maintaining their UU identity. This book brings together for the first time the voices of UUs who have become Buddhists while not sacrificing that identity, and Buddhists who have found in Unitarian Universalism a spiritual home where they can sustain a practice and join in an activist religious community that accepts and encourages who they are. Also included is an exploration of how American Buddhism has been influenced by Unitarian Universalism and how UU congregations are being changed by Buddhist practice.

Genres: Religion, Buddhism, Spirituality

240 pages, Paperback

First published June 24, 2013

Reviews

[Stef Garvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent collection of personal accounts on the long relationship between Buddhism and Unitarian Universalism. By reading the varied accounts, I found myself appreciating both practices more.

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My stepson Andrew received a copy of this as a gift when he completed the Coming of Age program at our local UU church; I wanted to read it because I saw that one of the contributors was my former reverend from my time at First Unitarian in Providence, Reverend (and Zen Buddhist) James Ishmael Ford. Well, Reverend Ford only contributed one small article to this particular volume, but I enjoyed it very much regardless. It is more of a history of UU engagement with Buddhism (and, to a lesser extend, Buddhism's engagement with Unitarian Universalism). Interesting, if you're into that sort of thing (and I am!).

[Jylana Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who has been positively influenced by Buddhism and who is weighing membership in a Unitarian Universalist (UU) fellowship, the book was helpful and interesting. The book starts off on its left foot with a plodding section on UU's intertwining roots in American Buddhism over the past century. It was an interesting story but told in such colorless detail that it read like the tax code. The rest of the book was good. The writing was much better. So many different points of view are expressed that the reader is bound to like some essays better than others but each essay made me think. I learned a lot.