The pure teachings of Buddha are incorporated throughout the services at Divine Life Church along with the teachings of awakened masters like Jesus, Krishna, and St Francis. Buddha’s teachings are presented by Swami Shankarananda based on Buddha’s original writings without any overlay of later religious practices, rituals, and hierarchies. The mystical understanding of Buddha’s Dhammapada is brought out along with discussion of it’s practical application in our every day life.
Divine Life Church of Baltimore
Taoism and the teachings of the Taoist sage Lao-Tzu are interwoven throughout many of the services at Divine Life Church. Lao-Tzu's most well known book, the Tao Te Ching, is illuminated by Swami Shankaranda along with other universal scriptures such as Buddha's Dhammapada, the mystical teachings of Jesus, and the Bhagavad Gita. Taoism, like Buddhism, focuses on the oneness of all life and the importance of meditation on the Tao also called God, the Source, Brahman, the divine reality. Taoism also teaches the importance of cultivating our divine qualities and how to apply these qualities in our daily experience and interaction.
More information about Buddhism and Taoism
Check these unaffiliated Websites for additional information on Buddhism and Taoism:
Wikipedia article on Buddhism: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism
Wikipedia article on Taoism: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taoism
Religious Tolerance article on Taoism: http://www.religioustolerance.org/taoism.htm
Religious Tolerance article on Buddhism: http://www.religioustolerance.org/buddhism.htm
Shippensburg University introduction to Buddhism: http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/buddhaintro.html
TrueTao.org introduction to Taoism: www.taoism.net
The Divine Life Church has held an ongoing study group of Taoism for over 12 years. Each month, we discuss one passage from the Tao Te Ching written by the Taoist sage, Lao-Tzu. The emphasis is always on the direct application of Taoism to our everyday life and our inner process of unfoldment. Swami Shankarananda facilitates the class and everyone is free to participates in the discussion. Participants need no previous experience to Taoism or the Tao Te Ching. Participants may drop in to any class.
The group is held the third sunday of each month at 4pm.
The Divine Life Church of Baltimore is a community that honors all paths to God and the universality of the world's major scriptures and spiritual traditions. Our philosophy emphasizes our connection and oneness with all life, selfless service, meditation, Self-realization, and unconditional love.
Taoism at the Divine Life Church
Taoism Study Group at the Divine Life Church
Buddhism at the Divine Life Church
