Buddhism

Buddhism is a spiritual tradition and philosophy emphasizing the understanding and alleviation of suffering through practices such as mindfulness, meditation, and compassion.

  • The teachings emphasize the Four Noble Truths – acknowledging suffering, understanding its origins, realizing its cessation, and following the Noble Eightfold Path to achieve liberation from suffering.
  • Central to Buddhist teachings are concepts like impermanence (Anicca), non-self (Anatta), and dependent origination (Paticca-samuppada), all aimed at transcending the cycle of rebirth (Samsara) and attaining enlightenment (Nirvana).
  • Meditation, ethical conduct, and the cultivation of wisdom are fundamental aspects of Buddhist practice across its various schools and traditions.

Buddhist Chaplain: Nandini Karunamuni

Nandini Karunamuni

I am affiliated with the Alberta Insight Meditation (AIM) Centre in Edmonton. This centre represents the Theravada Buddhist tradition, which scholars generally agree contains the earliest record of the Buddha's teachings.

  • Qualified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Teacher [University of Massachusetts Medical School].
  • Master of Science Degree in Health Promotion Studies, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton.
  • Bachelor of Science Degree, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

Joined as a Chaplain in Fall 2019.

Although my background is in science, I have always felt that spirituality represents a very different but an equally important way of “knowing” or understanding our experiences in the world, which also involves the cultivation of self-knowledge and wisdom. Being a Chaplain enables me to communicate this to anyone who is interested.

I am a Research Affiliate of the Contemplative Studies Centre, University of Melbourne, Australia, and a Practice Affiliate of the Centre for Healthy Communities, School of Public Health, University of Alberta. I am currently interested in writing articles that explore Buddhist accounts of the mind and consciousness, as I believe this work can contribute to advancing our prevailing perspectives on these concepts. Please check out the article titled “Exploring the mind-brain relationship to advance mental health research and practice,” published in the Journal ‘Current Psychology.’ I also teach Buddhist youth through the Alberta Insight Meditation Centre.

182B HUB Multi-Faith Prayer and Meditation Space
nandini@ualberta.ca