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.