Julieann Yee

Salt Lake Buddhist Fellowship

November 27, 2016
BEFORE YOU ATTEND: List 3 of what you understand to be the primary beliefs of this faith.
1. Buddha is sometimes mistaken as their God, and that is incorrect. Buddha means enlightened one.
2. Youre supposed follow the four noble truths.
3. Were trapped in a continual life cycle. Well be reincarnated (birth and death recycle) until were set free.
How does this religion understand the world?
They believe that were living to achieve Nirvana. Well be reincarnated until we have achieved that by
following the four noble truths. Depending on your actions whether theyre good or bad they all have karma.
How does this religion understand their relationship to others?
Buddhists are accepting of other religions. They realize that people are going to have different views, and just
because something works for someone doesnt mean that it has to work for everyone.
DURING ATTENDANCE PAY ATTENTION TO THESE THREE DIMENSIONS:
1) Physical (Spatial) observations: What did the worship space look like?
a) Was there symbolism on the exterior of the building? What is its purpose?
The Sangha was in a yoga studio. It was connected onto other business, by the door there was a sign
hanging with an orange design on it. It reminded me a chakra. When I looked online the design didnt match
any of the splenic chakras I found.
b) What rituals marked the boundary between sacred and profane? (The extraordinary and the
ordinary)
Something that I found extraordinary was that they had a period reserved to share about things that
happened to them during the week. It could be something positive or negative. One lady shared about the
Moscow in Sandy and how she went to visit on a Friday. Another woman admitted to prejudging a person and
viewing them in a negative way for no reason, they had done nothing to her. She wanted to eventually get the
courage to walk up and say hi because she knew it was wrong for judging them. Others showed their
vulnerabilities and talked about how they were going through 12 step programs. I thought that it was awesome
to see how relieved they were after talking about what was going on in their lives with strangers.

c) What was the focal point of the space?

There was a huge painting on the wall that was orange. The surrounding walls were all painted a calm
green color. Some people sat on mats others on chairs, but we were all facing our Practice Leader Christopher
Myoshin Ross-Leibow.
d) What decorated the space? Why was it there?
The walls were the plain green color except the wall in front where the leader sat. That one had two
tapestries hanging on each side of the orange painting. In the middle of the orange painting was another tapestry
with Japanese lettering going down it. Next to where the leader sat there was a black table that had a candle and
incent on it, along with a couple other items.
e) Did the space reflect functionality? If so, how?
Yes, the space was very welcoming. The color of the room made it calm. There was enough space for
people to sit and move freely.
2) Ritual observations: What took place?
a) Describe the elements of worship (liturgy).
They would recite from a small book that they had made themselves. We did a chant called Amitahba
Chant, and meditated for a few minutes. The leader lit a candle and with that candle lit the incent to
thank Amida Buddha. Towards the end, we also had a Dharma discussion.
b) Did they have a specific purpose?
Yes, they were thanking Amida Buddha and creating a peaceful environment.
c) Who participated? (Was there clergy? A hierarchy?)
Our practice leader was the person in charge. Everyone else in the room seemed as if they were
followers there for the lesson.
d) What seemed to be the benefit of these rituals?
The chanting was very calm and seemed to bring a peaceful environment. The discussion was to help
people live the buddha way in their daily lives. One lady shared how she doesnt really get road rage because
shes realized that the person in the other car is just like her, so she takes a deep breath and calms down.
Meditation can help people clear their mind. Even taking a few deep breaths each day to calm yourself

from any stress that you may have.

3) Emotional observations: What was the mood?
a) Did the physical space enhance or distract from the emotional/spiritual experience?
The physical space enhanced the emotional/spiritual experience. The colors on the wall was calming.
Before staring there was mellow music. They lit a candle and incent for Amida Buddha.
b) What were the attitudes of the participants? (fear, awe, love, hope, union, boredom, excitement,
passion etc.)
Some people felt a union because were all gathering together. Especially, the people that have
continuously gone to the Sangha and have flourished a relationship with the others. Others may have felt love
and compassion as people shared their stories. I think that people in the back of their mind might have fears
because of what was happening in their lives, but once they were at the Sangha they felt safe.
c) What does this tell you about their ideas toward worship?
For this group of Buddhists I think that it demonstrates how open and welcoming they are. Before
starting our leader let it be known that this is a safe place and if you need any type of help to let them know and
theyll see what they can do. They kept repeating a term and reminding people that it meant blank slate.
d) What did you learn about this religions relationship to non-members?
I had one of my friends attend with me. At first both of us were nervous and didnt know what to
expect. We wore plain clothes to not offend anyone, and never pulled out our cell phones. When we
walked in the door we immediately took off our shoes. As soon as we walked in we were told we could
sit wherever. No one called on us or let it be known that we were new. It was an open discussion for
whoever wanted to join. Others like myself and my friend stayed quiet and listened.
POST OBSERVATION: REFLECT ON YOUR EXPERIENCE
1) Reaction: What were your expectations and were they met?
I wanted to attend an actual Buddhist temple but timing wise it didnt work out that way. I didnt know what to
expect since it was just going to be at a little studio. I expected a peaceful environment and enjoyed doing the
meditation. I am taking a yoga class this semester and my teacher has been instructing us on how to mediate. I
was thrilled to know what to do and able to put it to use in a public setting.

2) Reflection: Making connections.

a) Were the beliefs and the worldview of the religion present in the physical observations? How?
Where?
Yes, the tapestries hanging from the wall. Also the painting on the wall Im sure it had a bigger meaning than I
am able to explain.
b) Were the beliefs and the worldview of the religion represented in the rituals and symbols?
How? Why?
Yes, when we did the chants and meditation. The brief discussion we had on Dharma. When the candle and
incent was lit for Amida Buddha.
c) Were the beliefs and the worldview of the religion felt and/or observed in the emotional
observations? How?
Yes, everyone was very calm and it felt like there was no judgement. Instead of clapping to thank people for
their input we would bow towards them.