Recent UU Buddhist Sermons
Presented below are links to sermons with Buddhist themes by Unitarian Universalists. All contents remain the copyright of the individual authors. If you would like to share a sermon with us, please contact our UUBF webmaster.
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November 5, 2025 Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto (CA) Buddhism: Unitarianism Without the You – A UU Dharma Bum Biopic Ajahn Kovilo In this session, Ajahn Kovilo speaks at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto (his mother’s home congregation) about his own history being raised in the Unitarian Church and its effect on the trajectory of his life. Topics explored include Henry David Thoreau’s essay “Life Without Principle”, the intersection of Buddhism and Unitarian Universalism, how a Unitarian might begin to understand the Buddha’s teaching, and much more! Start: 0:00 Length: 45:06 |
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| October 12, 2025 Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley (CA) Self-Compassion or Selfishness? Rev. Amy Zucker Morganstern The term “self-compassion” has gotten some traction in recent years, prompting the question, is “self-compassion” an oxymoron? Even worse, is it selfish? Buddhist teachers counsel us that in fact, for us to cultivate compassion in ourselves, we need to cultivate compassion for ourselves. We’ll practice that this morning. Start: 0:00 Length: 19:51 |
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| October 12, 2025
Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church (Walnut Creek, CA) "Wakarimasu, wakarimasen" Rev Leslie Takahashi Start: 0:00 Length: 14:37 |
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| October 5, 2025
Unitarian Universalist Cong of Fairfax (VA) Monkeys on My Back Rev. Dr. Wayne Arnason Greed. Ignorance. Anger. They are all – according to Buddhist wisdom – monkeys on our backs. And they are all being fed and celebrated by people in power. So how do we shake these monkeys off our backs and try to live instead with compassion? Guest minister Rev. Dr. Wayne Arnason shares some antidotes. Start: 0:00 Length: 24:53 |
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| September 28, 2025 Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation (ALUUC) (Springfield, IL) “The Intersection between Zen Buddhism and Unitarian Universalism” Deb Hagan Congregation member Deb Hagan discusses the intersection between Zen Buddhism and Unitarian Universalism. Did you know that the there is a national UU Buddhist Fellowship and ALUUC is a member? Start: 28:20 Length: 31:39 |
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| September 14, 2025 Emerson UU Church (Houston, TX) Little Altars Everywhere: UU Transcendentalism and Buddhist Awareness Rev. Dan King Start: 30:08 Length: 20:35 |
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| August 3, 2025 Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon (Bend, OR) Touching the Earth, Waking Up Michael Scott Stevens, Guest Speaker The symbolic story of Buddha’s awakening mirrors the universal teachings of nature. When we are truly reunited with the ground of wisdom we wake up to unimpeded compassion and liberate the boundaries of ego. We dedicate our life to be of benefit to all beings equally. Start: 30:40 Length: 26:10 |
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| June 30, 2025 Unitarian Universalist Church of the Hill Country (Kerrville, TX) Equanimity, a UU Minister’s Reflection on this Buddhist Concept Phillip Schulman |
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| March 9, 2025 Unitarian Universalist Cong. of Frederick (Frederick MD) Living Our UU Covenant & Values: Why Buddhists See Generosity as an Antidote Rev. Dr. Carl Gregg Part Seven in a nine-part series on “Living Our UU Values & Covenant”. Start: 7:14 Length: 14:26 |
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February 24, 2025 UU Church of Peoria (IL) Buddhist Practices for Tough Times Reverend Florence Caplow As we enter into a time of uncertainty and turmoil in our national life, finding our own personal grounding and clarity is essential, not just for our well-being but for our capacity to respond to the events unfolding around us. In this service, guest minister Rev. Florence Caplow will offer practices from both her UU and Buddhist spiritual traditions that can support us all in these tough times. Rev. Caplow is the former lead minister of UUCUC in Urbana and an ordained Zen teacher. Start: 40:00 Length: 23:53 |
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January 26, 2025 UU Columbia (Columbia, SC) The Three Jewels: The Buddha, The Dharma, and The Sangha Dr. Jesica Kross Many Buddhists take refuge in the three jewels. The Buddha represents our ability to see clearly; the Dharma is the Law, the Truth of what exists, the Tao; the Sangha is the Community which protects and guides us. Start: 46:25 Length: 19:05 |
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| January 19, 2025 Unitarian Universalist Church West (Brookfield, WI) “MLK and the Zen way” Rev. Shokan Muishitzu Roshi (Erich Moraine) MLK Jr. is typically associated with Baptist theology. However, at least one Zen tradition considers him a guiding teacher. Join me as we explore the unexpected connections between Zen Buddhism and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Start: 35:40 Length: 20:50 |