Welcome to the ‘Being at University’ podcast. I’m Harriet Harris, Chaplain to the University of Edinburgh, and in this first series, we explore what it is like being people of particular faith or belief at University.

If we follow faith or belief traditions, these are profound shapers of our values, our choices, and lifestyles, how we conduct our relationships: in short, they provide the inner compass by which we navigate our lives.

What I love about this series is hearing students talk about how their faith or beliefs bring them joy, deep friendships, a feeling of support during hard times, and a sense of perspective. They also talk about challenges, with mental health, with discrimination and micro-aggressions, with visibility and also invisibility. And we hear lots throughout this series about arriving new at university, making friends, joining societies – the stuff of student life.

Talking with me today about ‘Being Buddhist at University’ are Lucas Priest, a 4th year College of Art Student from England, Mia Suhaimi a 4th year International Relations student from Malaysia, and Jacques Faba Martinez, a 5th year Engineering student from Spain. Lucas arrived in Edinburgh as an ordained lay-Buddhist, Mia comes from Muslim family background and Jacques from a Roman Catholic culture. They talk about the wisdom they find in Buddhism, what it is like starting university when you don’t drink alcohol, and how Buddhist teachings and meditation help with mental health, relationships, and chilling.

Music: ‘Avulekile’ by Soweto Melodic Voices, from their CD Harambee, 2014.

Soweto Melodic Voices is a youth choir from Soweto, supported by the University of Edinburgh Chaplaincy to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe, to inspire young people and schools in Edinburgh, and to record music in Soweto. For details of the Edinburgh-Soweto link see here.