WEST COLUMBIA (WACH) -- Twenty-six year old Spencer Perraut says he has been Buddhist for the past four years.
He says the principles he's learned especially meditation really helped him to get through tough times.
“It’s something that I can use anytime, that I need to get rid of stress and make me more efficient,” says Perraut.
Every week Spencer has the chance to open up with other Buddhists at the Ganden Kadampa Buddhist Center located in West Columbia.
“Usually when I’m meditating I start to become more calm and peaceful. My thoughts start to slow down and I start to become more aware of what’s happening in my mind,’ says Perraut.
The center is under the leadership of a Buddhist nun Kelsang Nyema.
She says this form of Buddhism is different from others.
“We really emphasize in our tradition practical teachings and really being able to apply those teachings and those meditations to your daily life,” says Nyema.
Nyema says another difference with Kadampa Buddhism is that this tradition holds to the belief that a man and woman are equal.
Making it ok for a woman to lead services.
Nyema says she teaches members that it’s all about finding your inner peace.
“You can sit and contemplate compassion and try to generate a feeling of compassion for others in your heart,” says Nyema.
As for Perraut he says many people may find Kadampa teachings beneficial because according to him their similar to those beliefs of other religions.
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