Message from the Pastoral Care and Eldership Team (PaCET) for Sunday Meeting 21st June 2026

Dear Friends,

Upon achieving enlightenment, the Buddha’s first words were said to be:

“O builder of this house, you are seen; you shall not build a house again. For your rafters are broken and the ridgepole shattered. My mind has reached the Unconditioned, I have attained the destruction of craving.”

Verses 153 – 154 of the Dhammapada [translated]

When I practiced meditation in my 20s, I learned these lines as “Builder of this house of sorrows, build thy rafters no more.” This joyful cry spoke to me, and still does, with the promise of liberation from suffering. The Buddhist path is clear about the causes of suffering and what is required to release oneself. The teachings are available to anyone who chooses to investigate for themselves.

What made me turn away from the Buddhist path and take up Quakerism? I remember that I was uncomfortable with the cultural trappings of Buddhism as practiced by the group around me. Everyone was very kind and welcoming, but the robes, incense, chanting and singing in a foreign language, even the musical instruments – all remained alien to me, and I did not feel comfortable in that setting. Crucially, the iconography (very important in the practice of Tibetan Buddhism) left me cold. Whereas looking at Russian Orthodox icons, or statues of the Virgin Mary with the infant Jesus, could move me to tears. My sensory experiences were confusing. Also, I could not translate mantras so felt I was relying heavily on others.

After returning from a Buddhist retreat, I met with my meditation teacher and talked about how alienated I felt. She listened patiently, then said, “You should go to a Quaker meeting.” I did. As soon as I sat down in my first meeting for worship (Cardiff, 1996), I knew I had come home.

Liz Brooks

Quakers value diversity. We share this Friend’s message in the hope it will speak to others.

Pastoral Care and Eldership Team: Patricia Cockrell, David Hitchin, Sharon Krummel, Tim Pitt-Payne, Theresa Samms, Emily Slater.