Making history: our first BIE doctoral students!
Join us in rejoicing in Venerables Xian'ai and Xian'an, both MDiv BIE graduates and current STM students, who have been accepted into Union's prestigious Ph.D. program, starting in Fall of 2023.
Throwback: “Is any-body here?”
Throwback from September 2022 Convocation: Is any-body here?
Buddhist Collective: An Origin Story
Why and how the Buddhist Collective at Union was started and it’s early years.
Throwback: When a Million Buddhist Dalits Come to Town (Part 1)
Back in 2016, Cláudio Carvalhaes, Professor of Worship, and Kosen Greg Snyder, Senior Director of Buddhist Studies traveled to Nagpur in India for The Social Engagement and Liberation Conference, hosted by the International Network of Engaged Buddhists. Both of them published reflections that were shared at the time on the Union Website. With permission of the authors, have re-published them here.
Throwback: When a Million Buddhist Dalits Come to Town (Part 2)
Rev. Kosen Greg Snyder continues his reflections on The Social Engagement and Liberation Conference at Nagpur (2016): “Over the last two days, part of my role here has been to facilitate a discussion group exploring a daily theme. When considering the topics of empowerment and breaking down barriers, a contrast to similar conversations in the United States was striking, though not particularly surprising….“
Throwback: When a liberation theologian travels with a Socially Engaged Buddhist
Back in 2016, Dr. Cláudio Carvalhaes wrote about his visit to Nagpur… “It was after our first faculty meeting at Union that Greg told me about a conference on Social Engagement and Liberation in Nagpur, India. This conference was to be centered around Buddhist Dalits and their processes of freedom in India. At that time, I was sitting in on his class “Socially Engaged Buddhism” wanting to know more about Buddhism. I surely accepted it and was bewildered by this gift…”
Celebrating the Re-release of “Vietnam: Lotus in a Sea of Fire”
Em Peake, MDiv BIE ‘24, shares a recap of the recent event celebrating the re-release of Thich Nhat Hanh’s Vietnam: Lotus in a Sea of Fire. The event included a reading from the book, meditation, Dharma reflections and more.
“Holding Hands in the Dark:” Reflections on CPE
Emma Markham, Rafael Diaz, and Alex Sarkissian—all 2nd year BIE MDiv students—reflect on their recent CPE experiences.
Visit from Blue Cliff Monastery
On September 10th members of Union Theological Seminary spanning across programs and traditions attended a practice period with Blue Cliff Monastery.
Celebrating our Graduates, at last, in person.
On May 20th 2022, we celebrated the graduation of MA, MDiv and STM Buddhist and BIE students. As this was the first in person graduation in two years, we also welcomed back graduates of 2020 and 2021.
BIE Students Recognized!
This year’s graduation saw several BIE students return to the stage to receive various academic awards. Let’s be clear: getting through any degree program is worthy of recognition, especially in these times of pandemic and global upheaval! Having said this, it was a delight to see such a strong showing of the BIE community among those granted particular recognition.
What is it to Go Forth in 2022?
On May 19th of 2022, our Buddhist Collective and the Department leaders of the BIE program hosted a special ritual of Going Forth for our Buddhist grads. This was a more intimate and contemplative ritual than the thunderously joyful ceremony that would follow. Read out account of this joyful and tender moment.
Dr. Rima Vesely-Flad ’02 Joins Union
Union Theological Seminary makes an important announcement, which the Buddhist Collective of Students and Alumni joyously celebrate. A new chapter in the history of the Buddhist and Interreligious Engagement program and all things Buddhist at Union is about to begin, as Dr. Vesely-Flad joins the faculty team. Student and Alumni of the BIE community warmly welcome Dr. Vesely-Flad back to Union!
Dharma Talk in Honor of Thay.
On March 9th 2022, the Buddhist Community of Union Theological Seminary held a memorial services in honor of the recently passed Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh. Rev. Kosen Greg Snyder offered a Dharma talk on this special occasion. He kindly accepted to share his talk here.