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Oolong tea at the Zen Therapeutic Center
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| A Reflection from the University Chaplaincy
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Peace to you all,
This past Saturday, I had the privilege of accompanying our Buddhist chaplain, Vineetha, and a flock of students on a visit to the Zen Buddhist temple in Brockton, Massachusetts. As someone who greatly values interfaith community building, it was heartening to see a diverse group of students eager to step beyond their own worldviews to engage the values and traditions of the Zen Buddhist tradition.
Nestled at the end of a serene cul-de-sac and surrounded by the vibrant colors of autumn, the temple offered a quiet and contemplative setting to learn about the Zen tradition. Our visit involved a guided tour, a traditional tea ceremony, and both a sitting and a walking meditation. Each activity drew us further into an attentive mindfulness of the present moment.
The warmth and hospitality of our hosts and the fragrant Oolong tea that we all endlessly quaffed gave a memorable hue to our entire experience. As bright leaves crunched underfoot on our walking meditation, I soon felt completely immersed in the beauty of the present moment, and grateful for being guided to this awareness. We concluded our visit over a delicious meal and lively conversation that ranged from the insights of our hosts on mindfulness in daily life all the way to nomadic steppe cultures of Asia.
Experiences such as these reaffirm to me the value of reaching beyond the familiar, of building bridges through gentle curiosity. Especially in the sharing of food and thought, do we truly come to appreciate our shared humanity?
As the Qur’an so eloquently reminds us, “O humanity! Indeed, we created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may get to know one another.”
As we enter the season of thanks-giving, I ask everyone in our community to reflect on the value of knowing our neighbors, in giving thanks for being present, and supporting one another as the days turn into long, chilly nights.
In thanks and eternally over a warm cup of tea,
Khan Shairani
Muslim Chaplain
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Pax et Lux: T-shirt Design Contest
Deadline of entry: November 10
Pax et Lux is the Tufts University Chaplaincy’s annual multi-faith and multi-cultural winter celebration. Inspired by themes of ‘Peace and Light,’ the program uplifts Tufts University's rich mosaic of arts, traditions, and histories through storytelling, performance, and dance. Submit your artwork to have it featured on t-shirts for Tufts Chaplaincy's signature event! For more information, contact Interfaith Ambassador Jacob Geller.
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Religious and Philosophical Events and Gatherings
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Halloween Carillon Concert
October 31 at 5:00 p.m., Goddard Chapel, 3 The Green
The carillon bells will be ringing on Halloween! Stop by and enjoy some music outside. If you are a piano player, please consider signing up to play! Anyone with keyboard experience can play the bells and play any song that you and the Music Director Suzie Cartreine choose. For more information, email Music Director Suzie Cartreine.
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Mantra & Moonlight
Fridays, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Interfaith Center
Kick off your weekend with an hour to unwind, recharge, and just be. Join us for mantra meditation, chill energy, and meaningful connection. Everyone is welcome, no experience needed, just come as you are! Please email Interfaith Ambassador Niam Lakhani with any questions.
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All Saints Sunday Celebration with Voices for Peace and Light at PEW
Sunday, November 2, 7:00 p.m., Goddard Chapel
This Sunday Protestant Evening Worship (PEW) is marking All Saints Day and All Souls Day with the Voices for Peace and Light Choir joining to offer two special pieces, “Lumen” and “O How Glorious,” led by University Chaplaincy Music Director Suzie Cartreine. Protestant Chaplain Dan Bell will preach and celebrate Holy Communion. Please stay afterwards for refreshments and community time! Questions? Please email Protestant Chaplain Dan Bell.
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Just Us Grad Student Dinner Series
Tuesday, November 4, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Interfaith Center
This Dinner Series creates space for graduate students to gather in community over food, story, and reflection.
Nourishing the Body, Nourishing the Soul will be facilitated by Anthony, Vineetha, and Kyle. In addition to being lovers of food, they each bring a contemplative and thoughtful perspective to eating and cooking.
Join us and other grad students for some nourishing food and conversation.
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Fall Retreat with the Catholic Community
Saturday, November 8, 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
The Catholic Community invites you to our 2025 Fall retreat exploring the topic of Letting Go and trusting in God's embrace. Please join us for a day of reflection, community and beauty. We will start our day at Goddard Chapel and then make a pilgrimage to the Museum of Fine Arts for Visio Divina (praying with art). Our friends from Emmanuel College (Fr. Federico and his students) will join us for reflection and lunch. As Catholics, we celebrate that each of us has our own unique spiritual journey, and we come together to ask how we can walk in the Light of God. Retreat is such a rich component to this process. Undergraduate and graduate students welcome. Sign up through the button below and or email Catholic Chaplain Lynn Cooper with any questions.
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Ofrenda Convivió
Saturday, November 1, 5:00 p.m. onwards, Indigenous Center, 112 Packard Ave
The Indigenous Center invites you to come together November 1st at 5:00 PM to honor your loved ones as we build our Ofrenda. This is a time and space for grieving, remembrance, and comfort. All who are in need of a space are welcome! If you would like the Indigenous Center to print out photos of your loved ones please fill out the form linked here or in our link tree. Bring photos of your loved ones, offerings, yourself and a friend! We hope to see you there!
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Resources and Opportunities
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Divison of Student Diversity and Inclusion (DSDI) Student Voices Needed
DSDI is launching a pilot study to hear directly from long-time DSDI Center users about their experiences and engagement. Participating centers include Africana, Asian American, Center for STEM Diversity, Indigenous, Latinx, LGBT, and Women's. Reach out to the research team if you’d like to participate in either a one-on-one interview or a focus group session.
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Episcopal Service Corps offers a service year opportunity for young adults at Plainsong Farm.
Plainsong Farm and Ministry in Rockford, Michigan, is accepting applications from young adults ages 21 to 32 who are interested in an Episcopal Service Corps opportunity from Jan. 11 to Oct. 31, 2026. Episcopal Service Corps (ESC) offers U.S.-based programs for young leaders eager to serve communities and deepen their spiritual lives. Located 25 minutes from Grand Rapids, Plainsong Farm provides ESC fellows with a 10-month immersive experience in small-scale regenerative agriculture, spiritual practice, and communal living.Fellows at Plainsong will help grow food for the community, host volunteers, care for the land, connect with Rockford leaders and activists, and collaborate with churches to steward their land and buildings for the common good. Fellows receive a $700 monthly stipend, health coverage, farm-fresh food, and formation opportunities, including spiritual direction, retreats, and nonviolent communication training. Contact ESC staff member Kelsey Rice Bogdan for more information about Plainsong Farm and other young adult service opportunities in 2026.
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To see more upcoming religious holidays and festivals, including information about seeking religious accommodations at Tufts, please follow the link to the Tufts Multifaith Calendar.
Samhain
Friday, October 31 – Saturday, November 1, 2025
(Wicca/Paganism) Begins at sundown on the first day listed. The New Year and the final harvest festival, celebrating the last gifts of the Earth before winter and the return of the spirits of the dead.
All Saints’ Day
Saturday, November 1, 2025
(Christianity-Catholic and Protestant) All Saints' Day, also known as All Hallows' Day, the Feast of All Saints, the Feast of All Hallows, the Solemnity of All Saints, and Hallowmas, is a Christian solemnity celebrated in honor of all the saints of the church, whether they are known or unknown.
All Souls' Day
Sunday, November 2, 2025
(Christianity-Catholic) All Souls' Day, also called The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, is a day of prayer and remembrance for the faithful departed, observed by certain Christian denominations on 2 November. Observances may include limits to participation in academics or work.
Gurunanak Jayanthi
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
(Sikhism) Guru Nanak's Birthday. Observances may include limits to participation in academics or work.
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Support the University Chaplaincy
Supporting programs at Tufts University in religious, spiritual, ethical, and cultural life is easy and vital to our work. To donate, please click on the button below. Thank you for your generosity.
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The University Chaplaincy is a dynamic hub supporting religious, spiritual, ethical, and cultural life for all members of the Tufts community. We provide spiritual care, support religious and philosophical communities, educate about spiritual and ethical issues in society and the world, and promote multifaith engagement.
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