Philosophy lecturer Jay Feldman reads a Buddhism text, "Being Upright:

Zen Meditation and the Bodhisattva Precepts," in his office Friday.

Feldman will be teaching a Buddhism class over the summer at

Universityof Idaho. Jake Barber/Argonau

Written by Anne-Marije Rook - Argonaut ,   Monday, 27 April 2009

From Asia to America, Buddhism has crossed oceans and is starting toflourish in Moscow.  There are two traditional Buddhist groups inMoscow – the Palouse Zen Community and the Golden Blue Lotus TaraTibetan Buddhist Meditation Center – at which University of IdahoProfessor Jay Feldman is offering three ways to learn about Buddhism.

“Moscow has quite a thriving Buddhist community,” Feldman said.

Feldman has been teaching Buddhism at UI for six years, and as of lastweek, he’s leading a Buddhism group at the Unitarian Church which willcontinue until May 17.

This summer, Feldman offers a six-week online Buddhism class that he said can be followed up with his fall on-campus class.

“What I try to do in my courses is to help students get to knowthemselves and become a global citizen,” Feldman said. “My job as ateacher is to teach about Buddhism — to teach it as a philosophy,ethics, religion and psychology.”

Raised Jewish, Feldman said Judaism in the 1950s and ‘60s was goingthrough a difficult period—post-holocaust—and felt it wasn’tspiritually fulfilling.

When he married nine years ago, he inherited a 4-year-old son and hesaid he felt the need to “develop a personal spiritual path such as onecan offer the child and be the best person possible.”

He studied Buddhism at University of Hawai’i and UI.

“I had an affinity to the Buddhism teaching and found it to be mypath,” Feldman said. “Buddhism is not a going-to-church,memorizing-doctrine type of religion.”

Feldman said Buddhism is more than 2,500 years old, and it’s been inthe U.S. since the 1800s when Asian workers immigrated for the GoldRush. The 1940s through ‘50s beat generation was the main drive behindBuddhism in America.

The Buddhism practiced in America today is considered American Buddhismbecause the lack of a formal doctrine allows for Buddhism to assimilateto a country’s culture.

Although one may find Buddhist temples in larger cities, Feldman said Buddhism in America is not a temple practice.

“What makes Buddhism appealing, is because (of) its non-doctrinebeliefs, it’s not orthodox,” Feldman said. “In fact, Buddhism tells us‘don’t take things on authority.’ This is appealing to Americansbecause many Americans like individuality and distrust authority. It’sa personal path­—we’re all trying to figure out what this life isabout.”

Feldman said American Buddhism is now faced with some interestingchallenges as it adapts to people with disabilities, female priests,people of color and gay people.

Feldman said they welcome all with open arms.

“The basic tenants of Buddhism are love and compassion and to end suffering for all beings,” he said.

This extends to environmental issues as well.

Marie Haley, an exchange student from New Zealand, is currently takingdirected studies in Engaged Buddhism with Feldman. She said she wasattracted to Buddhism because of her travels through Asia.

Haley said her environmental club in New Zealand has been incorporatingBuddhist teachings by taking a holistic approach to change.

“In the beginning I wanted to save the world,” Haley said. “Now I realize the world doesn’t need saving.”

Instead, Haley said we need to change environmental habits.

“We’re individualistic,” she said. “We think it’s our body, our landand we get to do with it what we want. In Buddhism you learn it’s allintegrated.”

Feldman said he encourages people of all faiths and backgrounds toattend his courses or drop in on a session at the Unitarian Church.

“If you come to my class with previous spiritual commitment, there’s agood chance you’ll leave with a deeper spiritual commitment,” Feldmansaid.

Haley said Buddhist teachings are part of her life now.

“Buddhism is about experience,” Haley said. “If you’re open, you might get a more intimate experience with life.”