Welcome to our UUBF Website, where we provide spiritual and practical resources to all who are interested in Unitarian Universalist Buddhism.
You might be a Buddhist exploring Unitarian Universalism or a UU interested in learning more about Buddhist practice within our faith tradition. For those who have a clear commitment to Buddhist practice within Unitarian Universalism, you can find connections to practice groups in UU congregations, to the biennial Convocation sponsored by UUBF, sermons about UU Buddhism, and links to our newsletter, Facebook group, and other resources. Explore, Enjoy, and Contact us if we can help with your questions about UUBF or UU Buddhist practice.
Since the introduction of the first Buddhist texts to America in the mid-nineteenth century, Buddhism has been an extremely influential force among Unitarians and, over the last thirty years, Unitarian Universalists. Early Unitarians, such as Henry David Thoreau, Margaret Fuller, and Ralph Waldo Emerson responded with great enthusiasm to Buddhism’s emphasis on individual experience, rather than appeal to scriptures or belief in miraculous events, as the basis for authority in spiritual matters.In recent years, Unitarian Universalists have increasingly been drawn to explore Buddhist religious practices, especially seated meditation, in order to ground the “free and responsible search for truth and meaning” that is one of the guiding principles of the UU tradition. Meditation invites a direct and immediate experience of reality and provides a balance to purely intellectual inquiry.
Daily Online UU Practice Groups (5, 6 or 7 days a week)
A CONVERSATION WITH JAMES MYOUN FORD, ROSHI “EFFORT, SURRENDER, AND AWAKENING ON THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY” UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST BUDDHIST FELLOWSHIP WINTER GATHERING ONLINE – SUNDAY JANUARY 25, 2026 7 PM EST, 6 CDT, 4 PST
James Ford, Roshi is one of the founders of the Unitarian Universalist Buddhist Fellowship, and the best-known and most widely published UU Buddhist teacher we have.
He is an authorized Zen teacher in two traditions and served twenty-five years in the UU parish ministry. Ford is the author of seven books about Buddhist practice, including the first introductory book about Buddhist practice for Unitarian Universalists.
The focus for this conversation comes from the subtitle of one of Roshi Ford’s recent books. Rev. Dr. Wayne Arnason will conduct the interview and promises a wide-ranging conversation covering both personal practice, and the place of Buddhism in both UU’ism and the West in general, at a time that Ford has called “the end of religion”.
Questions will be invited during the latter part of our time together which will not exceed 1.5 hours.
Registering to attend in order to receive the Zoom link is required. The Registration Link through our Zeffy Platform is here.
November 5, 2025
Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto (CA) Buddhism: Unitarianism Without the You — A UU Dharma Bum Biopic
Ajahn Kovilo
October 20, 2025
Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley (CA) Self-Compassion or Selfishness?
Rev. Amy Zucker Morganstern
October 6, 2025
UU Congregation of Fairfax (VA) Monkeys on My Back
Rev. Dr. Wayne Arnason
UUBF now has a merchandise store with tee shirts, tote bags and more to represent us. Please visit our store for more information
Past Zoom meeting recordings: How Compatible is UU and Buddhism? Rev. Sam Trumbore and Rev. Pamela Patton on YouTube Rev. Sam Trumbore Jan 14 2024 Rev. Florence Caplow Nov 12,2023
