Don't know what I was on but I think it grows in Oregon~Day 3

If I had to sum up today’s message in one phrase it would be-caution: foreign places and philosophies are closer than they first appear. 

We started the day going to Berkley- a campus I had heard of mostly in movies and I had always imagined as being miles away from TCU both physically and ideologically. 

Of course the place was picturesque, but with more of a cozy cottage feel like Stars Hollow (fictional town in Gilmore Girls). Nina, our guide from URI, had worked on the campus before and greeted students on our way to the Pacific School of Religion headquarters. 

The inviting atmosphere was something I did not expect. Graduate students (who were the age of some of my professors) led us on a tour throughout PSR which appeared to be a close knit group. Evidence of children who lived in the “dorms” and a community garden made it very different from any other campus I had seen. 

We were then greeted by two ladies who are involved with interfaith work on he campus and who had us open up about our own faith traditions and how they saw this approach. 

My mouth went dry as I thought of all the mixed emotions I had experienced even just within my family about how to approach those of different faiths. When others opened up, I began to see that this was normal and accepted as well. 

Although I had seen many Christians ignore the idea of interfaith, those who were involved in it had not ignored those traditions that may be more hesitant to jump on the ‘let’s all be friends’ band wagon. 

I realized how much growing I had to do in clarifying my own faith and how I relate to others. 

We were then privileged to be served a free lunch in the small but tasty dining hall, with the president of PSR and some alumni from TCU. It amazed me still how connected our small community was with this institute across the country. The professors here knew those who worked at the religions department at TCU and the alumni were still connected to their purple roots. 

We left the campus feeling very welcomed by the people there. We then went to visit another school of thought-Buddhism.

My own experience with this tradition had left me skeptical of the legitimacy of the practice, but I was interested in learning more. I talked with Nina, who is a practicing Buddhist, and she told me there were at least 40 different denominations of Buddhism that varied much like the Christian church. She said she was inspired by the teachings of Jesus and when I asked if she read the bible, she said she has read some of the gospels. 

Talking with her helped me see how Buddhism is experienced by an individual. When we reached the temple, the priest (I sadly cannot remember his name) helped add more depth to my perception as well.

He was an older Japanese man who although tended to trail off, had a lot of insight about relating Buddhism back to terms we might understand. He had a great knowledge of language and etymology which connected a variety of ideas in a new way.

For example, he explained that life is defined as breathing and went on to highlight words that were tied in with the word breath, such as wind and spirit. 

Our group did not have enough energy to absorb all he was saying, but we did enjoy sipping tea and trying Japanese treats.

When we returned, we recharged with a trip to the mall-a 6-story mall-fully stocked with the best stores around. Quality is something that does not need to be long sought after here, but can be bought. I haven’t given up on plotting schemes to financing living here sometime in the future. Until then, I will soak up every moment of this lovely place.