Upcoming Events

The Monk and the Yogin II: Dialogue on Religious Theory and Action – Justice/Criminal Justice

When:
February 15, 2019 – February 16, 2019 all-day
2019-02-15T00:00:00-05:00
2019-02-17T00:00:00-05:00
Where:
Union Theological Seminary
3041 Broadway
New York, NY 10027
USA
Cost:
$25.00
Contact:

Friday, Feb 15  |  1:00 – 6:00 pm
Saturday, Feb 16  |  9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Instructor: Lama Justin von Bujdoss
RSVP: Click Here

This course explores the relationship between the dogma of organized religious formation and engaged pastoral ministry. We will explore the metaphor of the monk, representing, in theory, the canonical tradition, and the yogin representing in similarly theoretical terms, direct action from the heart inspired by the tradition yet sometimes appearing in opposition. How do we find ourselves occasionally occupying one or the other, or a hybrid position in relation to the dogma and the spirit of our respective traditions? We will look as such points of intersection between spirit and dogma and how they can be sources of strength as we develop our ministry. In particular, we will explore our relationship to religious ideas of justice, forgiveness, reform, repentance, compassion and what it means to be involved in a ministry based upon supporting the needs of fairness and love within a society with complex needs including criminal justice. We will continue to look at these topics from the point of creative tension between the canon and the heart, and work to define where we stand in relationship to these and other related ideas.

This course is in a series of short courses offered as a part of Union’s Thich Nhat Hanh Program for Engaged Buddhism. 

Justin von Bujdoss is an American Buddhist teacher and the Staff Chaplain for New York City Department of Correction where he also serves as Executive Director of Chaplaincy and Staff Wellness. He was ordained as a Repa (lay tantric yogin) in the Karma Kamstang tradition of Tibetan Buddhism by His Eminence Goshir Gyaltsab and given the name Repa Dorje Odzer. Justin is authorized to transmit this lineage and is committed to the development of the Repa tradition and engaged dharma practice in the West.

GET THE LATEST NEWS AND EVENTS IN YOUR INBOX! Register Here