Buddhist monk uses meditation for healing
Students sat in the dark Thursday as a Buddhist monk taught them the benefits of meditation.
Banthe Upananda Dedunupitiye, a monk and meditation instructor from Sri Lanka, discussed meditation and Buddhism, which he said are both tied to emotion, in the Library’s Grace Allen Room.
“Breathe in a deep sense of happiness and relaxation,” Dedunupitiye said to the group. “Breathe out a deep sense of stress.”
Madeline Camara, associate professor in the world languages department, organized the event.
Camara said she believes it’s important for students to be exposed to different cultures. She offers extra credit to students who attend at least two events from the Hispanic Heritage Celebration Calendar.
“It’s important to keep awareness of the multicultural aspect of our globe,” she said. “When he was explaining what meditation and awareness are, he (was) giving this responsibility that people should be confident in their identity.”
After leaving Sri Lanka, Dedunupitiye came to North America to share his knowledge of Buddhism and teach meditation methods.
Dedunupitiye said he helps drug addicts by educating them on how to meditate to overcome their urges.
Guidance counseling is necessary for these individuals, but for them to “strengthen their emotions and get over those urges,” meditation is also valued, he said.
“Life is nothing but a stream of emotions,” Dedunupitiye said. “The purpose of religion is to help in these emotions. So, Buddhism isn’t just for Buddhists.”
Cole Matter, a senior majoring in Spanish, said he attended the event because he is curious about Buddhism.
“I think it’s a good experience to interact with someone who is Buddhist,” he said. “I thought it was
interesting especially on the views of afterlife, everything you accomplish is left on earth.”
He said the meditation was the most interesting part of the presentation and that Dedunupitiye helped him gain a new perspective.
“This is something I can look into on my own to find happiness and release negative feelings,” he said.
More Stories
USF administration’s response to on-campus suicides is unclear. Here’s what we know so far.
USF administration has left students without answers regarding their future actions to support students over a month after an on-campus suicide occurred over spring break – the third since fall 2022. The Oracle has asked multiple direct questions about which USF administrators are overseeing suicide prevention initiatives and how the university plans to respond to […]
USF SG leaders look back on campaign accomplishments while on non-speaking terms
Student body president Cesar Esmeraldi and vice president Elizabeth Volmy reached nearly every campaign goal during their term. The one thing that didn’t persevere was their unity. The pair ended their tenure reflecting on it from separate rooms. “We’ve had a great year,” Esmeraldi said. “I’m very happy with everything we’ve built. But because of […]
USF’s ‘Take Back the Night’ allows sexual survivors to share pain, resilience: ‘Recovery isn’t easy.’
A sexual assault survivor, who was the first speaker at Wednesday evening’s “Take Back the Night,” said the hardest day of their life was not when they were assaulted – it was the day after. “When I had to call my mom and tell her how her [child lost their] virginity and tell my therapist […]
USF campus ministers offer perspective on stadium development: ‘Exciting benefit of exposure.’
Take a tranquil stroll down Sycamore Drive. It’s a quieter part of campus, hidden away from the usual hustle and bustle of USF. It’s home to an area colloquially known as “Religious Row,” a collection of on-campus religious organizations. In just a few years – with the construction of an on-campus football stadium – the […]
McKinley Drive closed down for death investigation, Tampa police say
The intersection between Fowler Avenue and McKinley Drive was closed due to a death investigation late Wednesday afternoon, according to the Tampa Police Department (TPD). A man shot himself after making a bomb threat in the parking lot of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), located at 11201 McKinley Drive, according to TPD. Police said […]
USF 2024-25 A&S budget to increase student organization funding in Tampa and St. Pete
The Student Government (SG) Senate approved the 2024-25 Student Activities & Services (A&S) budget for all three campuses this Tuesday, seeing an overall increase in allocated money to student organizations. The vote was 26-0, approving the budget. Related: 2023-24 A&S budget down $5 million from last fiscal year Students pay fees in their tuition – […]