We are writing to share an update from Columbia University. Please see the following CU campus update as of 9:26 p.m.
Published Tuesday, Apr 30, 2024
We are writing to share an update from Columbia University. Please see the following CU campus update as of 9:26 p.m.
Published Tuesday, Apr 30, 2024
Dear fellow members of the Columbia community,
Our University is committed to four core principles, which underpin all of our work and our shared values as a community:
First, we must keep all members of our community physically safe on campus.
Second, we are committed to academic freedom and to ensuring that all members of our community have the right to speak their minds.
Third, just as everyone at Columbia has the right to express their views, they also must respect the rights of others to do the same. As a result, protests must comply with time, place, and manner restrictions which, for example, prevent loud protests at night when other students are trying to sleep or prepare for exams. One group’s rights to express their views cannot come at the expense of another group’s right to speak, teach, and learn.
Fourth, our values—as well as our duties under civil rights laws—compel us to condemn hate and to protect every member of our community from harassment and discrimination. Antisemitic language and actions are unacceptable and calls for violence are simply abhorrent.
I know that many of our Jewish students, and other students as well, have found the atmosphere intolerable in recent weeks. Many have left campus, and that is a tragedy. To those students and their families, I want to say to you clearly: You are a valued part of the Columbia community. This is your campus too. We are committed to making Columbia safe for everyone, and to ensuring that you feel welcome and valued.
We’ve worked hard to balance these principles. To that end, since Wednesday, a small group of academic leaders has been in constructive dialogue with student organizers to find a path that would result in the dismantling of the encampment and adherence to University policies going forward. Regretfully, we were not able to come to an agreement.
Both sides in these discussions put forward robust and thoughtful offers and worked in good faith to reach common ground. We thank them all for their diligent work, long hours, and careful effort and wish they had reached a different outcome.
The University’s goal for the talks was a collaborative resolution with the protestors that would result in the orderly removal of the encampment from the lawn. The students also were asked to commit going forward to following the University’s rules, including those on the time, place, and manner for demonstrations and events.
While the University will not divest from Israel, the University offered to develop an expedited timeline for review of new proposals from the students by the Advisory Committee for Socially Responsible Investing, the body that considers divestment matters. The University also offered to publish a process for students to access a list of Columbia’s direct investment holdings, and to increase the frequency of updates to that list of holdings.
Additionally, the University offered to convene a faculty committee to address academic freedom and to begin a discussion on access and financial barriers to academic programs and global centers. The University also offered to make investments in health and education in Gaza, including supporting early childhood development and support for displaced scholars. There are important ideas that emerged from this dialogue, and we plan to explore pursuing them in the future.
As the past seven months have shown, our campus is roiled by divisions over the war in Gaza. All year, we have sought to facilitate opportunities for our students and faculty to engage in constructive dialogue, and we have provided ample space for protests and vigils to take place peacefully and without disruptions to academic life.
But we must take into account the rights of all members of our community. The encampment has created an unwelcoming environment for many of our Jewish students and faculty. External actors have contributed to creating a hostile environment in violation of Title VI, especially around our gates, that is unsafe for everyone—including our neighbors. With classes now concluding, it represents a noisy distraction for our students studying for exams and for everyone trying to complete the academic year.
Consistent with our interim demonstration policies, after reading days, exams, and Commencement, protests may continue on campus by application with two-days’ notice in authorized locations. We have no intention of suppressing speech or the right to peaceful protest.
We also do not want to deprive thousands of students and their families and friends of a graduation celebration. Please recall that many in this graduating class did not get a celebration when graduating from high school because of the pandemic, and many of them are the first in their families to earn a University degree. We owe it to all of our graduates and their loved ones to honor their achievement. We want to reassure our community who are trying to make plans that we will indeed hold a Commencement.
For all of the reasons above, we urge those in the encampment to voluntarily disperse. We are consulting with a broader group in our community to explore alternative internal options to end this crisis as soon as possible. We will continue to update the community with new developments.
Sincerely,
Minouche ShafikPresident, Columbia University in the City of New York
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We are writing to share an update from Columbia University regarding the CU campus as of April 29 (5:30 p.m. ET).
Please continue to visit the CU Campus Updates page for ongoing updates and information.
Published Monday, Apr 29, 2024
https://www.msmnyc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/thumbnail_David-Fung-Cong-Wu.png
Praised for his “ravishing and simply gorgeous” performances in The Washington Post, pianist David Fung is widely recognized for interpretations that are elegant and refined, yet intensely poetic and uncommonly expressive….
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Thanks to years of careful cultivation and intentional investment, Union Theological Seminary is home to a vibrant, one-of-a-kind Buddhism program. The Thich Nhat Hanh Program for Engaged Buddhism (BIE) teaches students how to understand social justice through Buddhism, engage each other in faith without causing harm, and use Buddhist principles to address the world’s most pressing issues.
It all started years ago with the leadership of Rev. Kosen Greg Snyder, Osho. By happenstance, Rev. Snyder and UTS President Rev. Dr. Serene Jones were both selected to embark on a trip with fellow U.S. religious leaders to meet with theologians in Iran. On that excursion, they explored the possibility of developing a rigorous Buddhism program in New York City.
After much discussion, they decided to move forward – and Rev. Snyder got to work. He had a unique vision: He aspired to start a program in which anybody could take part – from very serious lay practitioners to ordained Buddhists. He also aimed to put social justice at the center of every single lesson.
And hence, UTS’ BIE program was born. Over the years, it has grown significantly. Students and faculty attribute that growth to a number of unique attributes.
First and foremost: The community. The program encourages deep critical thought, difficult conversations, interfaith engagement, and close interpersonal relationships. As a result, students create deep bonds that allow them to grow in unprecedented ways.
Peace Twesigye, Assistant Director of Buddhist Studies and the BIE program, noted, “Cultivation of the community is so central to learning together.” She explained that UTS is so unique because there’s no fear of diving into difficult topics and getting messy. Students learn how to communicate effectively and respect and embrace other people’s perspectives.
Nobuko Hori, a student in the program, stated, “It’s a unique sort of learning and growth container, with my peers asking really challenging questions… It forms a person who is much better equipped to respond to the very real crises of our world.” Emma Markham, another student, highlighted the many opportunities to “learn what it means to be in community together.”
Both Hori and Markham also spoke fondly of the Buddhist Student Collective – a group of students and alumni who provide mutual support and spiritual friendship to one another, elevate the community, and support the growth of the BIE program.
In addition to the community, the BIE program provides an array of unique learning opportunities in the classroom and beyond. For example, UTS offers an Introduction to Meditation course that teaches students an array of meditation practices. Students can then use these techniques for themselves and in a potential career as chaplains. Because it has been so well-received, many non-Buddhist students also elect to take the class.
UTS also runs a “Dharma and Justice” series, which explores Buddhist concepts in the context of pertinent social issues. Previous topics included accountability in Black and Asian Buddhist communities, racial oppression through a Buddhist lens, and grief in social justice movements. Furthermore, this year, UTS held a landmark event with renowned peace activist Sister Chan Khong – the only event she’s ever led publicly outside of the monastery in the United States.
Rev. Snyder and Peace Twesigye have been instrumental in the cultivation of this astounding work. As Markham put it, “The leadership of Kosen and Peace was unparalleled… I couldn’t in my wildest dreams have imagined being led by people like them.” She added that the BIE initiative “feels like a Buddhism program. It’s not just an academic program about Buddhism.”
Looking into the future, UTS is committed to the growth of its BIE program, as it aligns perfectly with the seminary’s mission. As Rev. Snyder astutely put it, “Buddhism brings a whole series of practices that deeply settle the heart and mind – and expand them in powerful ways.” That’s precisely what’s needed to advance social justice.
The post Pursuing Innovation in Theological Education: Our Buddhism Program appeared first on Union Theological Seminary.
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Teachers College has been sharing updates from Columbia University regarding the encampment on the Morningside Campus.
Columbia recently announced that protestors must leave the encampment by 2 p.m. today. As an affiliate institution, Teachers College community members must abide by CU policies when on the CU campus.
Published Monday, Apr 29, 2024
Dear fellow members of the Columbia Community,
Throughout this very challenging year, we have adhered to a simple goal: to continue our academic mission while keeping campus safe and enforcing our rules fairly. That is the bedrock of every decision we make, and we are writing at this time to reiterate that thinking.
We called on NYPD to clear an encampment once, but we all share the view, based on discussions within our community and with outside experts, that to bring back the NYPD at this time would be counterproductive, further inflaming what is happening on campus, and drawing thousands to our doorstep who would threaten our community.
Having said that, we also need to continue to enforce our own rules and ensure that those who violate the norms of our community face consequences.
The last week has been a period of deep tension and division on our campus, with significant disruption to our community. Many of you are attempting to finish the term, prepare for exams, and work on your research, and the uncertainty and chaotic atmosphere of demonstrations inside our campus and just outside the perimeter has made that challenging to say the least.
We know that many of you feel threatened by the atmosphere and the language being used and have had to leave campus. That is unacceptable. Many of you also are concerned about being able to speak out for a cause you feel passionately about. That also is unacceptable. Fundamental to the research and teaching mission of our university is academic freedom and an environment free from discrimination and harassment for every member of our community.
We want to be absolutely clear. The antisemitism being expressed by some individuals is intolerable and the safety situation has become concerning, particularly with the involvement of individuals not associated with Columbia.
Chants, signs, taunts, and social media posts from our own students that mock and threaten to “kill” Jewish people are totally unacceptable, and Columbia students who are involved in such incidents will be held accountable. We can report that one individual whose vile videos have surfaced in recent days is now banned from campus.
We all agree that this situation must be resolved so that everyone can complete the semester, students can go home, and we can provide graduating students and their loved ones the celebratory commencement they deserve.
We support the conversations that are ongoing with student leaders of the encampment, under the guidance of academic leaders. Our goal is a safe resolution of this crisis. We hope to see concrete signs of progress tonight that will lead to a significant improvement in the atmosphere on our Morningside campus.
Further updates will be shared tomorrow.
Sincerely,
David GreenwaldCo-Chair, Board of Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
Claire ShipmanCo-Chair, Board of Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
Minouche ShafikPresident, Columbia University in the City of New York
Angela OlintoProvost, Columbia University in the City of New York
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With Convocation drawing near, the Class of 2024’s student speakers will prepare to take the stage, and share remarks and reflections on their time at Teachers College.
Learn more about this year’s honored student speakers — from across TC’s education, health and psychology programs — and tune into their remarks during Convocation ceremonies on May 14 and 15.
Amber Barger (Ed.D. ’24, Adult Learning & Leadership)
Teachers College Building
Hometown: Houston, Texas
What Inspires Her: Barger is inspired by her formative years serving in the Peace Corps when she facilitated grassroots projects in rural Mongolia. Collaborating alongside local leaders and stakeholders, she mobilized creative solutions to address the community’s most pressing challenges. “My drive for leading and growing organizations comes from seeing the real difference it makes when people who care come together to tackle problems and achieve breakthroughs—that’s what really improves our world.”
How She Makes a Difference: Barger brings a scholar-practitioner lens to build award-winning people development programs that yield measurable results for organizations. “I believe a better working world is one in which organizations activate the greatness within each of their people to create long-term value.” Daily, you can find Barger coaching behavior change, developing high-performing teams, and facilitating large-scale business transformation; she helps people adapt to the future of work.
Her most recent doctoral research is at the intersection of artificial intelligence and professional coaching, proving that AI coaches of the future can be just as effective as human coaches in building relationships with clients, providing coaching experiences, and helping clients attain their goals.
What’s Next: After Convocation, Barger plans to continue leading global teams to create individual and collective people experiences that positively impact how we grow and flourish in the workplace.
Isma Kafayat (M.A. ’24, Deaf/Hard of Hearing)
Teachers College Building
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
What Inspires Her: Working to eliminate the stigma surrounding disabilities, particularly within the deaf community. “Witnessing the limitations imposed on deaf individuals due to misconceptions about their potential has been a driving force behind my passion for advocacy,” explains Kafayat, who hopes to challenge stereotypes and empower others to recognize the potential within the deaf community.
How She Makes a Difference: As the president of the ASL club, Kafayat has led initiatives that promote deaf culture, language and community engagement. She has organized various events that raise awareness about deaf culture and communication barriers. Each event provides a valuable opportunity for students to learn and better understand the deaf community.
Kafayat is also a recipient of TC’s Abby M. O’Neill Fellowship , which recognizes her dedication to advocating for the deaf community. “This scholarship serves as a platform to amplify my efforts among the deaf community,” says Kafayat. “My experiences at TC have reinforced my commitment to service and advocacy and I am proud to have fostered greater understanding, inclusion and support for deaf individuals within my school and beyond.”
What’s Next: After completing her tenure at Teachers College, Kafayat plans to pursue her doctorate degree in Deaf Education and will teach at a deaf school for the next two years, while expanding her non-profit organization. “My goal is to ensure that learning becomes more inclusive and accessible for all.”
Jalnidh Kaur (Ph.D. ’24, Economics & Education)
Teachers College Building
Hometown: Ludhiana, Punjab, India
What Inspires Her: Her work as a teacher in rural India as well as her role and identity as a parent. “Being at the intersection of science and motherhood exposes one to new challenges and unique perspectives while also breaking stereotypes for female academics in the field.”
How She Makes a Difference: Kaur’s research focuses on understanding how information, beliefs and psychosocial tools can be leveraged to overcome adversity and enable people to realize their full potential. Through her work, she hopes to develop rigorous and actionable evidence to answer pressing policy questions that stand to improve welfare across the developing world.
A big part of Kaur’s dissertation research examines the role of teachers’ beliefs in shaping teachers’ efforts and student learning in low-income settings. “I’m particularly proud of this work. It has been a meaningful pursuit and a labor of love for the last six years of my time as a doctoral student at TC,” she shares. “My work has been cited by the World Bank and has expanded our understanding of interventions that work to empower teachers.”
What’s Next: Kaur will assume a new role as faculty at the Adam Smith Business School at the University of Glasgow in Scotland.
Maya Rajah (M.A. ’24, Psychology in Education)
Teachers College Building
Hometown: Singapore
What Inspires Her: Practices and experiences that foster authentic inner and outer kindness.Through daily meditative practices, Rajah has nurtured an unwavering inner friendship with herself, which inspires warmth and care within her interactions. She believes that kindness and compassion are vital pathways to lasting connection and peace.
How She Makes a Difference: Rajah’s collaborative research with several organizations reflects her commitment to promoting flourishing mental health globally. She has partnered with Global Action for Mental Health to research and develop a community-oriented psychosocial rehabilitation center in Bungoma, Kenya. Additionally, she helps the VIA Character Institute spearhead research on an AI-powered character strengths coach to enhance global access to strengths-based interventions. Rajah also works with Sol, the top U.S. spiritual wellness app, to foster interfaith dialogue and spiritual pluralism. This work complements her contributions to the executive committee of IPPA’s Spirituality and Meaning Division, where she helps aggregate research on spirituality and meaning in life. Her work across these platforms leverages modern technology and innovative strategies to foster a more compassionate and interconnected world.
What’s Next: Rajah plans to pursue doctoral studies to further explore how positive emotions and emotion regulation impact self-perception and relationships. Drawing on her extensive experience in mindfulness meditation and yoga, she will also continue facilitating groups, fusing scientific insights with experiential learning to empower and uplift others.
Published Friday, Apr 26, 2024
Dear Union Community,
Given the twisting of truth, outright lies, and relentlessly hateful speech that our present social media culture encourages, I have become increasingly less confident that writing public letters is a useful way to achieve meaningful change. That said, today, as the sirens blared by my window and hundreds of NYPD flood onto the scene at Columbia, I find myself unable to hold back and not write to you.
First, I am writing to make sure that everyone at Union knows that a wide range of support is here for any student, staff, or faculty who are in need of support. This is a horrible, awful day in the midst of ravaging, cruel times. It breaks us all. Please do not be afraid to reach out.
Second, on behalf of Union, I want to reaffirm what I hope everyone at Union knows. We have never and will never take the actions that occurred today, including to some of our students. Whatever our differences, all of your voices and values are too important to me and to Union to shove them away and dispose of them. I firmly believe campuses need to be places where lively, rigorous debate happens, where we struggle together to find better ways to live together on this planet, and where students have the chance to find and strengthen their voices, experience the power of collective action, and learn to be passionate, engaged citizens, particularly working alongside those with limited power who suffer under the crushing force of unjust policies, structures, and actions. These precious values do not flourish when protests are squashed. Democracy itself cannot flourish.
Third, Union has a strict policy that prohibits the NYPD from entering our campus, except in the rare situation where a serious crime has been committed. You have our commitment to enforcing this policy fully and strongly. I have your back.
Fourth, at Union, our long-standing commitment to social justice is manifest daily in how we, as an institution, live out loud in a world that does not share these values. It is not an easy thing to do but do it we must, without arrogance or self-righteousness. We are far from perfect, but with our strong hearts, critical minds, and activated bodies, we can, through our example, be a force for change. Keep going.
Finally, we are not and must not avert our eyes or turn our souls away from Gaza and Israel and the oppressions crushing so many peoples’ lives around the world, including right here in our own nation. To stay strong in the face of such horrifying forces of death, we must remember the hard truth that even when we disagree, we need each other; we need to gently care for each other and try as hard as we can to not carelessly inflict upon each other the very things we detest. I do not say this with a sense of ease because it is hard work to be a community. But don’t give up on it. The aching, yearning world cannot afford for you to do so.
Dear friends, the tides of intolerance are turning against the humanity in us all. I promise to stand beside you as we try to turn that tide towards love, towards justice, towards the embrace of our fragile human and planetary life. I am tired, sad, overwhelmed, and torn up inside, as I am sure many of you are. I promise to be with you in your weariness as well.
Peace,
President Serene Jones
###
About Union Theological Seminary
Union Theological Seminary (UTS), founded in 1836 in New York City, is a globally recognized seminary and graduate school of theology where faith and scholarship meet to reimagine the work of justice. A beacon for social justice and progressive change, Union Theological Seminary is led by a diverse group of theologians and activist leaders. Drawing on both Christian traditions and the insights of other faiths, the institution is focused on educating leaders who can address critical issues like racial equity, criminal justice reform, income inequality, and protecting the environment. Union is led by Rev. Dr. Serene Jones, the 16th President and the first woman to head the 187-year-old seminary.
The post President Jones’ Statement on the Columbia University Protests appeared first on Union Theological Seminary.
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This evening marks the start of the week-long Passover holiday when those of the Jewish faith celebrate liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt. For all of our colleagues and friends who will join in dinners known as seders where this story is retold, we hope this special time offers an opportunity for reflection and community. And we wish you and your loved ones a meaningful Passover filled with peace and inspiration.Chag Pesach sameach
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We are writing to share an update from Columbia University. Please see the following CU campus update as of 9:26 p.m.
Published Tuesday, Apr 30, 2024
Dear fellow members of the Columbia community, Our University is committed to four core principles, which underpin all of our work and our shared values as a community: First, we must keep all>>>
We are writing to share an update from Columbia University regarding the CU campus as of April 29 (5:30 p.m. ET). Please continue to visit the CU Campus Updates page for ongoing updates and>>>
Praised for his “ravishing and simply gorgeous” performances in The Washington Post, pianist David Fung is widely recognized for interpretations that are elegant and refined, yet intensely poetic and>>>
Thanks to years of careful cultivation and intentional investment, Union Theological Seminary is home to a vibrant, one-of-a-kind Buddhism program. The Thich Nhat Hanh Program for Engaged Buddhism>>>
We are writing to share an update from Columbia University. Please see the following CU campus update as of 9:26 p.m.
Published Tuesday, Apr 30, 2024
Dear fellow members of the Columbia community,
Our University is committed to four core principles, which underpin all of our work and our shared values as a community:
First, we must keep all members of our community physically safe on campus.
Second, we are committed to academic freedom and to ensuring that all members of our community have the right to speak their minds.
Third, just as everyone at Columbia has the right to express their views, they also must respect the rights of others to do the same. As a result, protests must comply with time, place, and manner restrictions which, for example, prevent loud protests at night when other students are trying to sleep or prepare for exams. One group’s rights to express their views cannot come at the expense of another group’s right to speak, teach, and learn.
Fourth, our values—as well as our duties under civil rights laws—compel us to condemn hate and to protect every member of our community from harassment and discrimination. Antisemitic language and actions are unacceptable and calls for violence are simply abhorrent.
I know that many of our Jewish students, and other students as well, have found the atmosphere intolerable in recent weeks. Many have left campus, and that is a tragedy. To those students and their families, I want to say to you clearly: You are a valued part of the Columbia community. This is your campus too. We are committed to making Columbia safe for everyone, and to ensuring that you feel welcome and valued.
We’ve worked hard to balance these principles. To that end, since Wednesday, a small group of academic leaders has been in constructive dialogue with student organizers to find a path that would result in the dismantling of the encampment and adherence to University policies going forward. Regretfully, we were not able to come to an agreement.
Both sides in these discussions put forward robust and thoughtful offers and worked in good faith to reach common ground. We thank them all for their diligent work, long hours, and careful effort and wish they had reached a different outcome.
The University’s goal for the talks was a collaborative resolution with the protestors that would result in the orderly removal of the encampment from the lawn. The students also were asked to commit going forward to following the University’s rules, including those on the time, place, and manner for demonstrations and events.
While the University will not divest from Israel, the University offered to develop an expedited timeline for review of new proposals from the students by the Advisory Committee for Socially Responsible Investing, the body that considers divestment matters. The University also offered to publish a process for students to access a list of Columbia’s direct investment holdings, and to increase the frequency of updates to that list of holdings.
Additionally, the University offered to convene a faculty committee to address academic freedom and to begin a discussion on access and financial barriers to academic programs and global centers. The University also offered to make investments in health and education in Gaza, including supporting early childhood development and support for displaced scholars. There are important ideas that emerged from this dialogue, and we plan to explore pursuing them in the future.
As the past seven months have shown, our campus is roiled by divisions over the war in Gaza. All year, we have sought to facilitate opportunities for our students and faculty to engage in constructive dialogue, and we have provided ample space for protests and vigils to take place peacefully and without disruptions to academic life.
But we must take into account the rights of all members of our community. The encampment has created an unwelcoming environment for many of our Jewish students and faculty. External actors have contributed to creating a hostile environment in violation of Title VI, especially around our gates, that is unsafe for everyone—including our neighbors. With classes now concluding, it represents a noisy distraction for our students studying for exams and for everyone trying to complete the academic year.
Consistent with our interim demonstration policies, after reading days, exams, and Commencement, protests may continue on campus by application with two-days’ notice in authorized locations. We have no intention of suppressing speech or the right to peaceful protest.
We also do not want to deprive thousands of students and their families and friends of a graduation celebration. Please recall that many in this graduating class did not get a celebration when graduating from high school because of the pandemic, and many of them are the first in their families to earn a University degree. We owe it to all of our graduates and their loved ones to honor their achievement. We want to reassure our community who are trying to make plans that we will indeed hold a Commencement.
For all of the reasons above, we urge those in the encampment to voluntarily disperse. We are consulting with a broader group in our community to explore alternative internal options to end this crisis as soon as possible. We will continue to update the community with new developments.
Sincerely,
Minouche ShafikPresident, Columbia University in the City of New York
Source link
We are writing to share an update from Columbia University regarding the CU campus as of April 29 (5:30 p.m. ET).
Please continue to visit the CU Campus Updates page for ongoing updates and information.
Published Monday, Apr 29, 2024
https://www.msmnyc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/thumbnail_David-Fung-Cong-Wu.png
Praised for his “ravishing and simply gorgeous” performances in The Washington Post, pianist David Fung is widely recognized for interpretations that are elegant and refined, yet intensely poetic and uncommonly expressive….
Source link
Thanks to years of careful cultivation and intentional investment, Union Theological Seminary is home to a vibrant, one-of-a-kind Buddhism program. The Thich Nhat Hanh Program for Engaged Buddhism (BIE) teaches students how to understand social justice through Buddhism, engage each other in faith without causing harm, and use Buddhist principles to address the world’s most pressing issues.
It all started years ago with the leadership of Rev. Kosen Greg Snyder, Osho. By happenstance, Rev. Snyder and UTS President Rev. Dr. Serene Jones were both selected to embark on a trip with fellow U.S. religious leaders to meet with theologians in Iran. On that excursion, they explored the possibility of developing a rigorous Buddhism program in New York City.
After much discussion, they decided to move forward – and Rev. Snyder got to work. He had a unique vision: He aspired to start a program in which anybody could take part – from very serious lay practitioners to ordained Buddhists. He also aimed to put social justice at the center of every single lesson.
And hence, UTS’ BIE program was born. Over the years, it has grown significantly. Students and faculty attribute that growth to a number of unique attributes.
First and foremost: The community. The program encourages deep critical thought, difficult conversations, interfaith engagement, and close interpersonal relationships. As a result, students create deep bonds that allow them to grow in unprecedented ways.
Peace Twesigye, Assistant Director of Buddhist Studies and the BIE program, noted, “Cultivation of the community is so central to learning together.” She explained that UTS is so unique because there’s no fear of diving into difficult topics and getting messy. Students learn how to communicate effectively and respect and embrace other people’s perspectives.
Nobuko Hori, a student in the program, stated, “It’s a unique sort of learning and growth container, with my peers asking really challenging questions… It forms a person who is much better equipped to respond to the very real crises of our world.” Emma Markham, another student, highlighted the many opportunities to “learn what it means to be in community together.”
Both Hori and Markham also spoke fondly of the Buddhist Student Collective – a group of students and alumni who provide mutual support and spiritual friendship to one another, elevate the community, and support the growth of the BIE program.
In addition to the community, the BIE program provides an array of unique learning opportunities in the classroom and beyond. For example, UTS offers an Introduction to Meditation course that teaches students an array of meditation practices. Students can then use these techniques for themselves and in a potential career as chaplains. Because it has been so well-received, many non-Buddhist students also elect to take the class.
UTS also runs a “Dharma and Justice” series, which explores Buddhist concepts in the context of pertinent social issues. Previous topics included accountability in Black and Asian Buddhist communities, racial oppression through a Buddhist lens, and grief in social justice movements. Furthermore, this year, UTS held a landmark event with renowned peace activist Sister Chan Khong – the only event she’s ever led publicly outside of the monastery in the United States.
Rev. Snyder and Peace Twesigye have been instrumental in the cultivation of this astounding work. As Markham put it, “The leadership of Kosen and Peace was unparalleled… I couldn’t in my wildest dreams have imagined being led by people like them.” She added that the BIE initiative “feels like a Buddhism program. It’s not just an academic program about Buddhism.”
Looking into the future, UTS is committed to the growth of its BIE program, as it aligns perfectly with the seminary’s mission. As Rev. Snyder astutely put it, “Buddhism brings a whole series of practices that deeply settle the heart and mind – and expand them in powerful ways.” That’s precisely what’s needed to advance social justice.
The post Pursuing Innovation in Theological Education: Our Buddhism Program appeared first on Union Theological Seminary.
Source link
(212) 854-4288 jeg7@columbia.edu https://www.communityservice.columbia.edu/ Ongoing Events: 0 All Events: 0
212-961-1000 marileidy.pimentel@weact.org https://www.weact.org/ Ongoing Events: 0 All Events: 4
