Welcome to the home page of the Unitarian Universalist Buddhist Fellowship.

Since the introduction of the first Buddhist texts to America in the mid-nineteenth century, Buddhism has been as extremely influential force among Unitarians and, over the last thirty years, Unitarian Universalists. Early Unitarians, such as Henry David Thoreau, Margaret Fuller, and Ralph Waldo Emerson responded with great enthusiasm to Buddhism's emphasis on individual experience, rather than appeal to scriptures or belief in miraculous events, as the basis for authority in spiritual matters.

In recent years, Unitarian Universalists have increasingly been drawn to explore Buddhist religious practices, especially seated meditation, in order to ground the "free and responsible search for truth and meaning" that is one of the guiding principles of the UU tradition. Meditation invites a direct and immediate experience of reality and provides a balance to purely intellectual inquiry.

From the announcement in the World of a UU-Zen retreat with Rev. James Ishmael Ford, March '96

The UU Buddhist Fellowship will be at General Assembly in Salt Lake City. Besides our usual booth in the Exhibit Hall, we will share space with the UU Christian Fellowship and UU Mystics in Community where we will present informal workshops. On Thursday, June 25, 2:25 – 4:00 pm, Rev. Judith Wright will present “100,000 Vajrasattva Mantras Later,” a talk with slides about her five month sabbatical journey in Nepal. On Saturday, 4:30 – 5:30, Bob Ertman will present “Fostering a UU Mindfulness Practice Group.” And on Sunday, 1:00 – 2:15, a panel of UU Christians, Buddhists, and Mystics will discuss our engagement of theological diversity within the UUA. Click here for the full program

Things to explore on this website:

• Links to new items added to this site

• FAQ regarding the UUBF

• UUBF Practice Groups

• UU Sangha, the journal of the UUBF

• Texts of Buddhism-related sermons by UU minsters

• UUBF Board and Leaders

• An Invitation to Western Buddhists -- Rev. James Ishmael Ford

• The UUBF discussion listserve FAQ: How to join or change your subscription, proper behavior, and more!

• Links to other UU and Buddhist Resources

While made with the approval of the UUBF Board of Directors, the content of this page, such as any errors or omissions, is ultimately the responsibility of Sam Trumbore strumbore{-at-}uumin{-dot-}org.    Any quotations are made with approval of the authors, who retain all copyrights. Last Update: January 23, 2008