Ethan Nichturn teacher of Buddhist studies and meditation practitioner, led students in the application of Buddhist beliefs to creating change in modern-world society in his Friday night lecture entitled “21st Century Buddhism: Taking Action in a Crazy World.”

Nichturn’s discussion was Buddhist House’s first large event of the year. The roughly 50 attendees, bringing varying levels of familiarity with Buddhism to the discussion, were nevertheless able to access Nichturn’s stress on the three fundamental principles of Buddhism: one’s view of the world, meditation practice, and one’s conduct.

“Oftentimes it is hard for people to understand Buddhism because it goes against America’s most fundamental principle of rugged individualism,” Nichturn said. “Buddhism is about the interdependence of all people and the interwoven causes and conditions that connect us all.” Nichturn explained that meditation in contemporary life is a means to remaining aware of and familiar with the mind’s potency.

“Meditation allows you to better understand yourself, your place in the world and how you want to effectively make change,” Nichturn said. “When you take just three minutes of meditation everyday, you become more aware of your emotions and are able to retain a sense of balance in the chaos of contemporary life.”

Nichturn urged attendees to define Buddhism for themselves and how Buddhist practices should be incorporated into daily life.

“With Buddhist activism, or even Buddhism in general, it is important to always start small,” Nichturn said. “Although what you do may seem inconsequential, if a few hundred, a few thousand, or maybe a million people engage in mindful action, we are making a difference.”

Nichturn’s message resonated with many attendees.

“Unlike most serious Buddhist scholars, Ethan is very accessible to a younger generation,” said Emma Teitel ’09, Buddhist House manager and head of the Dharma Study Group. “Ethan continued to hit on the point that change begins within and that we need to stop looking externally to find the problems in the world. That idea really echoed with me as well as most people listening to him.”

“I found the talk to be highly informative for all variations of Buddhist practice,” said Alex Anthony ’10. “I really enjoyed that Ethan stressed the interdependence of all beings and the importance of simply relating to others on the most basic humanistic levels.”

Following the lecture, Nichturn invited all interested community members to a daylong retreat on Saturday that included mediation and yoga.

Nichturn is a graduate of the Brown University class of 2000. In addition to speaking at Northeast colleges and universities, hosting the iTunes podcast “21st Century Buddhism,” and authoring the 2007 book “Declaration of Interdependence,” amongst other publications, Nichturn is director of The Interdependence Project, a grassroots dharma organization located in New York City’s East Village. The ID Project aims to provide scholarship funds for meditation trips, investigate how Buddhist principles affect creative work, promote Buddhist activism, and perform service projects in the local community. Its events include weekly meditation and Buddhist studies gatherings, as well as daylong and weekend retreats.