Faith Matters: Practicing Buddhism
By: Tania Francois, KARK 4 News
Updated: January 30, 2012
It's described as a religion, a philosophy, a practice and just a simple way of life.
Trying to be a better person on the outside through peace on the inside is why Buddhists in Arkansas say their faith matters.
The Ecumenical Buddhist Society of Little Rock is the oldest and largest Buddhist Society in the state and they say there's a lot about what they believe that many may not know about.
Sharon Ditter is a practicing Buddhist. "Sometimes you can't stop thinking at all. If you do it long enough you become very calm and centered and peaceful."
Jim Edmunds says he's been a Buddhists for four years. "My life is calmer. I feel more connected."
When talking to Buddhists about faith the words calm, peace and less stressed come up.
Charlotte Besch is President of the Ecumenical Buddhist Society of Little Rock. "The basic practice is sitting and learning to be quiet to learn that you are more than your thoughts. More than your body and you have a center of compassion."
Chanting and meditation are two things Buddhists do to get to that place of peace.
There is no 'book' Buddhists follow but instead many teachings.
According to the encyclopedia of Arkansas history and culture, Buddhists make up less than one percent of Arkansas population. There are at least five Buddhists temples, most serving Vietnamese members.
Buddhism is open to all, including people of other faiths.
Besch explains. "Most of the people in the Buddhist Society are Christians. They come and they practice meditation. There's no conflict there from a Buddhist point of view."
One of their more famous symbols, is the happy or laughing Buddha statue, he's placed near an entrance.
Besch says, "A lot of people think we worship the Buddha we don't the Buddhas that you see the deity that you see are really aspects of yourself."
Edmunds adds, "The Buddha never said that there was a god or never denied god and never said that he was. It's just a path to enlightenment."
Some Buddhists practices have made their way into mainstream living. Some doctors recommend meditation as a way to reduce stress and have a healthier life.
Trying to be a better person on the outside through peace on the inside is why Buddhists in Arkansas say their faith matters.
The Ecumenical Buddhist Society of Little Rock is the oldest and largest Buddhist Society in the state and they say there's a lot about what they believe that many may not know about.
Sharon Ditter is a practicing Buddhist. "Sometimes you can't stop thinking at all. If you do it long enough you become very calm and centered and peaceful."
Jim Edmunds says he's been a Buddhists for four years. "My life is calmer. I feel more connected."
When talking to Buddhists about faith the words calm, peace and less stressed come up.
Charlotte Besch is President of the Ecumenical Buddhist Society of Little Rock. "The basic practice is sitting and learning to be quiet to learn that you are more than your thoughts. More than your body and you have a center of compassion."
Chanting and meditation are two things Buddhists do to get to that place of peace.
There is no 'book' Buddhists follow but instead many teachings.
According to the encyclopedia of Arkansas history and culture, Buddhists make up less than one percent of Arkansas population. There are at least five Buddhists temples, most serving Vietnamese members.
Buddhism is open to all, including people of other faiths.
Besch explains. "Most of the people in the Buddhist Society are Christians. They come and they practice meditation. There's no conflict there from a Buddhist point of view."
One of their more famous symbols, is the happy or laughing Buddha statue, he's placed near an entrance.
Besch says, "A lot of people think we worship the Buddha we don't the Buddhas that you see the deity that you see are really aspects of yourself."
Edmunds adds, "The Buddha never said that there was a god or never denied god and never said that he was. It's just a path to enlightenment."
Some Buddhists practices have made their way into mainstream living. Some doctors recommend meditation as a way to reduce stress and have a healthier life.
