with Worship Associate Nancy Blake and pianist David Dodd.

On February 15, Japanese Buddhists commemorate the Buddha’s Paranirvana: i.e., his death and entry into final Nirvana. The last teaching frequently (mis-)attributed to him is expressed in Unitarian Universalist hymn #184: ”Be ye lamps unto yourselves; be your own confidence; hold to the truth within yourselves as to the only lamp.” According to Buddhist scripture, he said no such thing. In fact, his final message was quite different. So where does this mis-quotation come from, what’s wrong with it, and why should we care? We will consider what Buddhist scriptures actually say, and how the Buddha’s final teachings might speak to Unitarian Universalists today.

Topics: Interdependence