Welcome to our second video interview in our new Interfaith Series, each designed to promote greater dialogue, understanding and true appreciation between the world\u2019s faith traditions.<\/p>\n
Buddhism<\/span><\/b>\u00a0is one of the world\u2019s oldest, and largest religions. It\u2019s based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who lived about 2600 years ago in what is now Nepal and northeastern India. He came to be called \u201cthe\u00a0Buddha<\/span>,\u201d which actually means the \u201cawakened one,\u201d after he experienced a profound revelation or realization of the transient nature of life, death and existence. From this experience he achieved a state of consciousness called \u201cNirvana\u201d (the cessation of suffering, enlightenment, liberation).<\/p>\n In this short video we interviewed Walt Opie, Executive Director of the\u00a0Buddhist<\/span>\u00a0Pathways Prison Project, Inc., headquartered in Sacramento. Walt briefly explains what his group of volunteers is doing in California prisons and jails and explains how their mission is helping to bring an end to \u201csuffering\u201d using\u00a0Buddhist<\/span>\u00a0meditation and mindfulness practices.<\/p>\n Buddhists<\/span>\u00a0follow a path called the \u201cFour Noble Truths\u201d; and Walt gives us a succinct overview of each one. As you\u2019ll see,\u00a0Buddhism<\/span>\u00a0as a practice has much wisdom and encouragement to offer those in our prisons as well as others in the world. We gratefully acknowledge the unselfish work being done by Walt\u2019s group and we feel honored to share this \u201cintroduction\u201d to\u00a0Buddhist<\/span>\u00a0thought and practice.<\/p>\n