Dialogue on religious theory and action- What does it mean to minister as a representative of your faith?

Friday, Sept 21 | 1:00-6:00 pm
Saturday, Sept 22 |  9:00am -5:00pm
Instructor: Justin von Bujdoss

This course is at Capacity

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 at such points of intersection between spirit and dogma and how they can be sources of strength as we develop our ministry. Using brief vignettes from the lives of spiritual leaders from a variety of faith traditions who found themselves caught within this place of tension, we will explore the places from where we act, our relationship to religious dogma, models of internal resolution within our respective traditions and how they may appear in contemporary circumstances.

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

About Justin von Bujdoss
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.