grade, and Christian evangelism in 12th grade. So, I decided that a cross-cultural experience would be beneficial, and both classes paid a visit to the Honpa Hongwanji Mission Buddhist temple. I want to share a little about that trip.
We were greeted by a jovial priest with a soft New York accent and a nametag that read “Rev. Kaufman.” He led us into the gold-leafed sanctuary infused with incense, where he explained the history and teachings of the Buddha. He spoke about the suffering in the world, and the Buddha’s mission of peace and
enlightenment. When he was finished, he offered to field some questions. The students had heard a very positive explanation of a very positive religion, one that even accepted Christians as “fellow pilgrims on the path
to enlightenment.”
As educators, Mrs. Cook, Pastor Nathaniel, and I have tried our best to instill in these students the ability to think about eastern religions with discernment and the ability to interact with people from diverse backgrounds. Trinity’s teachers from kindergarten had been teaching them about truth, goodness, and beauty, with blocks and finger paints and science projects and choir and sports. But ultimately, there is a moment for all young adults when they have to honestly interact with the world and think about who they are outside of their families, school, or church. Education in the secondary school is as much about giving space as it is about giving instruction. We seek to instill principles and truths in each student, but ultimately, they must make their own decisions – and what a privilege to help guide them, not towards mere enlightenment, but towards the person of Jesus!
Our 10th and 12th graders asked wonderful, discerning, respectful questions of the Buddhist priest. When I finally motioned that we had to go, the students were stunned. We’d been here for only an hour and a half? They wanted to keep the discussion going, but we thanked the priest and departed. The bus back to school buzzed with
conversations. Pastor Nathaniel sat near the center as students crammed around, talking about what they had learned: “Did I hear the priest right? I think that’s what he said. But I was confused by his explanation of
enlightenment – if we’re broken, how can we find the truth? What did he say about the grace of Buddha? Do you think that’s like the grace of Jesus? Did it sound like he thought that everyone would eventually become enlightened?”
We firmly believe that honest answers to these questions ultimately point back to Jesus, and our teachers endeavor to
help make these connections for the students. What an encouragement to see students start to think through questions of faith and truth for themselves on this trip! But we also know that teachers and parents cannot keep these young men and women sheltered in a Trinity-sized bubble for the rest of their lives.
College is coming; for the seniors, it is coming very, very soon. Christian or secular college, near or far, each student will be called to make their faith in Jesus Christ real. We want them to confront challenges to their faith in our
relatively “safe” environment, where teachers are near-by and there is space to discuss how Christians should approach different belief systems. Ultimately, we neither want to shelter nor over-expose them, but to prepare
them. They must decide to pursue Christ, without the oversight of a Christian teacher or Christian classmates. The truth is, in colleges, communities, or mid-life crises, these men and women will have many dragons to fight - atheism, Hinduism, Buddhism, or simple apathy and compromise. At Trinity, we want – and I think, by God’s grace, we are seeing – thoughtful, truth-seeking students, who are able to struggle and test ideas here and now, so that when they leave our doors, they can be dragon-slayers.
Laura Wilson
History Teacher