How can we truly live from a sense of the interdependence of all things? How can we keep opening to the vast diversity of people, needs, and liberative practices? How can we integrate a path of freeing ourselves from suffering with a path of universal and collective liberation? The Flower Garland (Huayan) tradition arose in the sixth century in China, rooted in the Flower Garland Sutra, and made an indelible mark on East Asian Buddhism, notably Zen, and was a deep well of inspiration for Thich Nhat Hanh’s vision of engaged Buddhism. This book lays out the practical implications of this sutra and the Huayan Buddhist tradition: interdependence, positivity, celebration of the sensuous, collective liberation, and social action. The sutra brings forth great teachers of diverse identities and practices, including queens, monks, nuns, goddesses, children, mathematicians, scientists, a mariner, and perfumers. They teach with words, with touch, by feeding people, freeing prisoners, and meditating alone in the mountains. In this era when many folks see ever-deepening divisions, this course will explore how Huayan offers particular wisdom for those concerned about how to care for their own lives as they work to end harms such as ecological devastation, poverty, militarism, addiction, marginalization, and exploitation. This Flower Garland tradition’s central theme of interdependence and emphasis on diversity of people and practices brings us timely medicine. This course will balance teaching, dialogue, reflection, and meditation to make space for integrated learning and transformation.

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Date & Time:

October 3, 2025 (1:00 PM – 6:00 PM EST)
October 4, 2025 (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST)
Union Theological Seminary
3041 Broadway, New York, NY 10027
Registration Deadline: September 19, 2025

Meet the Instructor:

Ben Connelly is a Soto Zen teacher and Dharma heir in the Katagiri lineage. He also teaches mindfulness in a wide variety of secular contexts, including police training and addiction recovery groups, and works with multi-faith groups focused on social and climate justice. Ben serves the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center and travels to teach across the United States. He is the author of several books for Wisdom Publications, including Inside Vasubandhu’s Yogacara and Inside the Flower Garland Sutra.