Volume 11, No. 28
April 12, 2017
Welcome to the Chaplain’s Corner newsletter. If you have a joy or concern
you’d like to share with our staff, send an e-mail or give us a call at Ext.
8348. We only share concerns with the campus community, via newsletter
or e-mail, with permission. You can view current and previous issues of our
newsletter (in PDF format), on the Spiritual Life Center (SLC) page of the
Lynchburg College website—www.lynchburg.edu/spirituallife.
Concerns
Our sympathies are extended
to:
• Laina Vitalie (senior,
Cherry Hills Village, CO)
on the death of her aunt.
Campus Worship
Opportunities
Holy Week
•
Radical Compassion: A Reflection on Buddha’s Birthday
On April 8th, Buddhists across America took time to celebrate the
birth of Buddha. Of course when Buddha’s birthday is celebrated (and how it
is celebrated) depends on both the culture and the type of Buddhism. Many
believe Buddha was born on April 8th; thus, that day is designated as the
official celebration in America. Some adherents throw festivals, like the
famous Flower Festival in San Francisco, and some opt for smaller celebrations like dinner parties. Others go to Buddhist temples or even spend the
day at home in meditation and prayer. I spent last Saturday at my house in
the woods, reflecting on compassion, which Buddha believed to be a crucial
tool for those on the spiritual path.
What is compassion? Compassion is about putting ego aside; it is
about caring for someone else. Sometimes we define compassion as pity,
but that word has a negative connotation. I would argue that compassion is
the feeling of wanting to help another being—human or animal. We can
have compassion for our mothers, our pets, our friends, and our partners.
We can (and should) have compassion for strangers.
Thursday, April 13th
What does compassion look like? Is it a feeling or an action? I would
Holy Thursday Service - say that it is both. We can feel compassion for a person who is homeless,
5 p.m. in Snidow Chapel. but that is not enough. A feeling alone cannot affect change. Compassion in
Friday, April 14th
• Good Friday “Stations of
the Cross” - 5 p.m. in the
Dell. Meet at Snidow
Chapel.
Saturday, April 15th
• Easter Egg Hunt—11
a.m. on the Dell.
• InFaith Worship Spring
Concert - 5 p.m. in
Snidow Chapel.
Sunday, April 16th
action, what Vietnamese Buddhist nun Cheng Yen calls “Engaged Buddhism,” means not simply praying or meditating for a person in need, but
rather affecting change for that person. In other words, compassion is also
doing. This doing should not be for recognition or ego; rather, it should be
selfless and should truly benefit the being in need.
Before I became Buddhist, I would pray daily for my family and my
friends. In other words, I prayed for those directly involved in my life. Buddhism has made me acutely more aware of universal suffering. Now, I pray
for all living beings, that all sentient creatures on this planet will one day be
free from suffering. In this way, I have become radically compassionate. I
cannot be discriminatory with my compassion; it is all or nothing. I feel for
beings all over the world, not just those in my circle, not just those in my
country. How radical it is to open your heart to everyone.
During my reflection last Saturday, I realized that I need to be more
engaged. I made a list of actions I can take to affect change. One of those
things involves finding a way to help the hungry. I realize that giving to my
local foodbank during the holidays my family celebrates is not enough. I
need to give more frequently. I challenge readers to make a list of ways
they can be radically compassionate. Then, display the list somewhere
visible, and act on your words.
In peace and kindness,
By Jeremy Peyton Bryant
Director of Wilmer Writing Center
and Advisor to SBNR
Dates to Remember
Sunrise Service—7 a.m. at
Friendship Circle.
Date/Time/Location
Event
Description
• Quaker Meeting - 10:30
Wednesday, April 12
An Evangelical minister
a.m. at the Center for
7:30
p.m.
Movie
Screening
and
the mother of a teenSpiritual Life.
Sydnor Performance
“Armor of Light”
age shooting victim ask if
• Roman Catholic Mass Hall, Schewel Hall
it’s possible to be both
4:30 p.m. in Snidow
pro-gun and pro-life
Chapel. Followed by the
Wednesday, April 26
Doggies
Faculty & staff bring their
Easter Banquet in the East
3-5 p.m.
in
dogs, providing stress
Room.
•
The Dell
the
Dell
relief and joy! Register
your dog in advance.
Regularly Scheduled Meetings
For a list of our regularly scheduled meetings during the
academic year, go to the Spiritual Life webpage and
click on “Spiritual Organizations on Campus.” p.m. at SLC.
Spiritual Life Center
500 Brevard Street 434.544.8348
www.lynchburg.edu/spirituallife Follow us @lcspiritualife