Welcome to BTS: Buddhism Through Service
Hana Walsh, 137 YinD
"Letting go a little brings a little peace. Letting go a lot brings a lot of peace.
Letting go completely brings complete peace."
– Ajahn Chah
Buddhism is one of those belief systems that is referenced often, but frequently misunderstood. From a Western perspective, it tends to conjure a familiar image of the Buddha (there are actually several images of Buddha, but we’ll get into that later), along with buzzwords like “non-attachment,” “mindfulness,” and “meditation.” But some volunteers—and I am, in fact, “some volunteers”—have discovered that hearing about Buddhism through popular media and living in a country where Buddhism is the predominant religion are two very different things.
In this new series, BTS: Buddhism Through Service, we’ll explore Buddhism from a beginner’s lens—blending learning, reflection, and lived experience. Some contributors may write about how Buddhism compares to other religions, or describe a Buddhist event they attended in their community. Others may reflect on how Buddhism influences their mental health, or how they might carry these teachings beyond service. Or maybe someone will recall a conversation they had with a monk, and we’ll all learn from his wisdom together.
The truth is, I don’t really know exactly what people will write about—and I’m not setting any hard rules around it. That’s part of the point. What makes this series meaningful is that we’re all (or most of us, anyway) approaching Buddhism as beginners. Our understanding will evolve, our perspectives will shift, and our writing will reflect that. These are real-time accounts from foreigners living in a Buddhist country, experiencing Thai Buddhism firsthand.
Whether you’re a prospective, current, or returned volunteer—or someone entirely outside of the Peace Corps—I hope you find something in these reflections that resonates, and that they offer something of value to your own spiritual journey.
