ONLINE ONLY on ZOOM!
On two August evenings, Lama Tom and Mike Allen will lead an exploration into the nature of Buddhist Faith.
Judeo-Christian teachings define faith as “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see,” (Hebrews.11). In these faiths, this “what is not seen” is divine revelation.
Buddhism has no such divine revelation. Instead, there is an emphasis on one’s own experience guided by the Buddha’s teaching. Finding the ultimate truth requires verification of personal experience.
On the first night of this two-part discussion/exploration, Lama Tom and Mike will invite attendees to share their own thoughts (about and struggles with) faith. Then Mike will explore Buddhist faith through a review of Sharon Salzberg’s book, “Faith: Trusting Your Own Deepest Experience.” (Attendees need not have read the book to participate.)
On the second night, Lama Tom will explore faith according to the 12th Century Buddhist master Gampopa, who described three separate categories of Buddhist faith. There will be time offered for questions and comments
At the end of the second session, we will review our understanding, after which Mike and Lama Tom will discuss their own journeys in faith and invite attendees to share their stories.
At the end of our exploration, we hope participants have greater “confidence in what we hope for”… as Buddhists
ABOUT TICKETS: Participation is open to all. Tickets are by donation. You can donate as little as $1, or any amount you wish – it is all appreciated!
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE financial means, or have difficulty registering online, please write lamakathy@columbusktc.org and she will register you at no cost.
WANT TO READ AHEAD?
Learn about the book here: https://www.sharonsalzberg.com/faith
ABOUT OUR PRESENTERS
Lama Tom Broadwater became a student of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche in1999. He completed a 3 year retreat in 2012.. He is a Resident Teacher at Columbus Karma Thegsum Chöling. Coal miner 4 years. Social worker and social administrator for 35 years, he is the father of two daughters and has three grandchildren.
Mike Allen says he came to Buddhism very slowly over a long period of time. Originally from Arkansas and having lived in Chicago and Detroit, he came to Columbus in the 1990s. His first Buddhist study was Nichiren Buddhism, a Japanese Mahayana tradition. After a while, he began seeking a tradition that better resonated with him philosophically, and says he found that in Tibetan Buddhism. He began studying at Columbus KTC and took refuge in December 2023. Mike says his spiritual journey has generated many questions that he enjoys exploring with this KTC sangha family.