During the 2022 Festival of Faiths session Lessons of Old Stories in a New Context , Anam Thubten explains that transcendence is achieved in times of confusion and darkness. “In suffering, in messiness you will find purity,” he says. In such times, sacred stories can serve as a guide to enlightenment, and according to Thubten, "You can always get wisdom from almost every sacred story, regardless of their tradition."

Thubten grew up in Tibet and at an early age began to practice in the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. In addition to launching the Dharmata Foundation in the San Francisco Bay Area, Thubten is a published author who teaches widely in the U.S, Europe and Asia.

This session — co-curated with the University of Virginia Department of Religious Studies — also featured Lewis Brogdon, Shmuly Yanklowitz and moderator Martien Halvorson-Taylor. Watch the session in its entirety:    • Lessons of Old Stories in a New Conte...  

About the Festival of Faiths
Based in Louisville, Kentucky, the Festival of Faiths is a nationally acclaimed interfaith event of music, poetry, film, art and dialogue focused on a contemporary theme and featuring a diverse lineup of spiritual leaders, teachers and practitioners.

The 2022 Festival of Faiths, Sacred Stories: Contemplation and Connection , celebrated the power of narratives to inspire purpose, instill a sense of belonging and define our lives. The festival investigated old and new stories through the lens of faith and explored how our identities are shaped by associations with religion, culture, politics, heritage and more. Sessions engaged participants in the sacred work of sharing stories to illuminate both our complexity and our interdependence.

Connect with the Festival of Faiths:
Website: https://festivaloffaiths.org/
Facebook:   / festivaloffaiths  
Instagram:   / festoffaiths  
Twitter:   / festoffaiths