(Editor’s note: This is the third story in a continuing series on Religious Diversity Journeys. Nine Brandon Middle School students are currently taking part in the program and learning about various religions by visiting a different house of worship monthly. This story features Hinduism and Buddhism. The original story, ‘There is no right way of religion? featured Judaism and Christianity and the second story, ‘Finding Common Bonds? focused on Islam. Both stories can be found on thecitizenonline.com)
A room full of still, silent 12-year-olds is a rare sight, especially when there are dozens of them gathered together, but that was the case for about five consecutive minutes on Feb. 4 at the Bharatiya Temple in Troy.
The seventh graders, including a few from Brandon Middle School, as well as adult chaperones, including BMS Principal Tina Chambers, sat cross-legged on the floor, eyes closed, as Bill Secrest led them in a meditation exercise. Prior to chiming a bell, the professor of religious studies at Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn had instructed students to let go of their thoughts and focus only on their breathing.
‘May I be well in body and mind, may I be safe,? he chanted softly. ‘May I be at ease. May I be filled with love and kindness.?
While the occasional set of eyes fluttered open and there were small signs of fidgeting, most of these students participating in the Religious Diversity Journeys program appeared to be trying to keep their focus. Secrest continued to repeat the phrases gently before chiming the bell three times, signifying the end of the meditation.
‘How many of you had a hard time staying still?? he asked.
Most of the students raised their hands.
Ava Scheys, a BMS student in the InterFaith Leadership Council-led program, said she enjoyed the meditation, as well as a yoga exercise the group would later do in this journey that was devoted to learning about Hinduism and Buddhism.
‘It was somewhat peaceful,? she explained. ‘It let me relax, which I don’t do often. You shut off your mind so you’re not thinking about something for once, you’re just relaxed.?
Prior to the meditation, Secrest gave a short history of Buddhism to the students, explaining that Buddha was a rich, happy Hindu prince that lived 2,400 years ago and eventually learned about heartache and went on a 6-year journey into the forest, resolving that he would discover a way to alleviate the suffering inherent in human beings. When he emerged, he spent the rest of his life teaching four noble truths: One, that suffering, including sickness, old age, death, separation from what one loves? is endemic, unavoidable; two, it is owing to our grasping and rejecting that suffering is brought upon us. We are always trying to get what we want and rid of what we don’t want, which dooms us to frustration; three, we must let go of grasping, attachment and aversion to reach nirvana; and four, the path is a lifestyle of practices which will help one cultivate a personal disposition of freedom so one is no longer driven by egotistical desires and is free to experience the innate human disposition of compassion.
Secrest continued that there is an 8-fold aspect to the path, which includes a right understanding that life is continual change, as well as right speech, and right conduct, and right livelihood, all of which center around actions that are based on kindness and compassion.
‘Buddhism is not about God, it doesn’t speak about God,? said Secrest, a member of Still Point Zen Buddhist Temple in midtown Detroit. ‘It’s more of a therapy and that’s why it’s popular for people from all kinds of religions, because it is not a theological disposition, it’s a practice. It’s therapeutic. Here is a way to alleviate suffering. It’s not inconsistent with other spiritual or religious or secular traditions.?
Secrest practices Buddhism, but does not call himself a Buddhist. He notes he has spent a great deal of time as a Christian, Catholic Christian, Hindu and Yogi, and all of these practices have left their impression on him and how he thinks of himself in the world.
‘I consider religion, if properly understood, to be wisdom traditions,? he said. ‘But human beings have a tendency to look for shortcuts or don’t have access to accurate information and religions can become terribly abusive. A lot of people are skeptical or repudiate religion because of atrocities committed in the name of religion all over the world everyday, but the other side of the coin is wonderful and random acts of kindness and beauty are also done in the name of religion and you don’t hear about them in the media… It is not the religion, but what kind of person you are and if you are using your religion in a wise manner, it can open up potential…I think the program is a lot of fun, it’s really important for the kids to learn what we’ve been talking about, to promote cooperation required to deal with unforeseen consequences of our lifestyle. Globalization is upon us, and we can no longer have religions creating barriers, we have to bridge the cultural gaps that currently divide the human race.?
In the Hindu portion of this religious journey, students heard from Padma Kuppa, a board member of the Hindu American Foundation.
She spoke to students in a vast prayer hall, in which there were multiple colorful statues, some draped with flowers, and with bowls of fruit nearby, as well as burning candles. She explained the names for the various statues, which she emphasized are not idols, but representations of deities.
‘Why does God have so many names?? Kuppa asked. ‘I am a wife, a daughter, an employee… Can you explain the smell of coffee? If you can explain what coffee is, how can we explain what God is? It is helpful to have God in a form we understand.?
Kuppa explains that there are a wide range of beliefs in Hinduism, with multiple scriptures and multiple interpretations, depending on the branch of Hinduism. Hindus, however, worship one supreme being, with many, many names.
‘God is timeless and formless,? she said. ‘A misconception is that Hindus worship idols.?
An idol is a false god, and is not what the statues, known as murtis, are. Kuppa notes the murtis have a deeper philosophic significance. According to the Hindu American Foundation, ‘a murti is a powerful visual tool for contemplating the nature of God. Followers of Hinduism use murtis as focal points designed to be aides in mediation and prayer. God is not limited to the murti, but it is a sacred symbol that offers a medium for worship. Hindus perceive one God who is infinite and can be addressed in infinite ways.?
‘Needing a representation is part of the story,? said Kuppa. ‘As we grow in spirituality, we may or may not choose to worship the deity. Its a focal point and something we use to tell story. It’s like as a child when you bring in Cheerios to count for math. Having these deities helps to focus one’s mind… I like the concept of pluralism. The idea that you can have multiple paths to the truth, but can accept other viewpoints, that we don’t believe in only one right way. We respect others? way to reach their personal God.?
Hinduism, she explained to the students, doesn’t have a set of commandments, but ethical guidelines that apply to each person and would be different for her as a mother and an employee and for them as seventh graders.
‘The focus is on the present and what is right for today, as it should be,? she said.
According to the Hindu American Foundation, the ultimate goal of a Hindu is to achieve moksha, overcoming spiritual ignorance; eliminating material desires and attachments; living entirely in the present and experiencing absolute peace, and awakening pure compassion toward all. Moksha also means liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth.
Yoga and meditation are practices shared by both Hindus and Buddhists. The two religions share many similarities and BMS Principal Chambers said she enjoyed hearing about both religions in this journey, as well as participating in the yoga and meditation exercises, practices she does personally, not as part of her religion, but for her own health.
‘It was neat to see the roots of that because there is scientific evidence that shows how good meditation is for the brain,? she said. ‘I think our kids are learning so much by each experience. Each time they come back they have something to share. They are learning different perspectives and viewpoints. It is a journey and doesn’t necessarily end there, you continue learning… This is such a wonderful opportunity for the community and our students to see. Our kids will go to college with kids from all over the world and they need to understand multiple perspectives. It’s learning the simple things that make us better people.?