Buddhism is a system of spiritual practice and beliefs first taught by Shakyamuni Buddha in India around 500 BCE. The word “Buddha” means “Awakened One” and refers to a state of spiritual illumination called “enlightenment,” characterized by an understanding of the nature of mind (wisdom) and deep compassion for all beings. The Buddha taught that all beings—animals, humans and others—possess mind, and therefore possess the potential for spiritual awakening. The path to achieve this awakening is contained in the Dharma, or teachings of Buddha. Simply put, these teachings are: Do no harm to other beings, practice virtue and selflessness, and tame the mind through meditation and other practices. It is through these disciplines that beings can attain the same spiritual illumination as the Buddha. The community of Buddhist adherents, called the Sangha, is considered vital in helping beings along the spiritual path. Buddhists believe every moment of life is important because beings are constantly forming patterns with their thoughts and actions. These patterns, called Karma, determine the quality and nature of beings’ present and future lives. There are 650 million Buddhists in the world, with 6 million in the US.

Central Ohio is home to more than a dozen different Buddhist communities, representing all three major Buddhist traditions. While many groups maintain particular cultural forms for the benefit of their expatriate communities (such as the Laotian temple, Wat Lao Buddhamamakaram) others are predominately made up of new Buddhists raised in, and sometimes still practising, other religions (such as the Bliss Run Sangha). Still others are a more equal combination of both immigrant and non-immigrant Buddhists (such as the Buddhist Bodhi Association of Columbus).

The first recorded public Buddhist event in Central Ohio was a 1896 lecture by Sri Lankan monk, Anagarika Dharmapala. It wasn't until the migration of Japanese Americans from the West coast, and the founding of the Mahamaya Society in 1965 (now called the Columbus Buddhist Sangha) that a Buddhist community was established Central Ohio. It was quickly followed by many independent congregations, including the Linh Son Pagoda of Ohio in 1975 and Columbus Karma Thegsum Chöling in 1977.* Until recently, Buddhist communities operated in near isolation, with little awareness of their sisters and brothers in the Dharma.

Buddhism Central Ohio (BCO) was founded in 2007 to share information, encourage collaboration, and promote mutual understanding among local Buddhists of all traditions. BCO is based on the idea that those who walk in the footsteps of the Buddha have much to gain from working together and many things to learn from one another. BCO operates in an informal manner and is 100% volunteer-run by dedicated practitioners from a wide variety of the local Buddhist Community. We maintain this website, host regular meetings, organize an annual Visakha event, and have acted as the representative of area Buddhists to the Inter-faith Association of Central Ohio. BCO is currently coordinated by Seth Josephson , a founding member.

*Source: Butalia, Tarunjit Singh, and Dianne P. Small, eds. Religion in Ohio: Profiles of Faith Communities. 2004. Ohio University Press. Athens, Ohio.