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Buddha's Teachings of Soft Skills

Buddha's Teachings of Soft Skills

Buddha’s teachings offer profound insights into developing the abilities and skills essential for a happy and successful life. These insights encompass areas such as mindfulness, critical thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence, adaptability and self- leadership. Recent research emphasizes the importance of these qualities, often referred to as “soft skills,” as vital to employees in business organizations. In this two-week forum, Professor of Business Administration and Economics Vinh Q. Nguyen will introduce audiences to Buddha’s teachings that focus on understanding and cultivating these soft skills. In the first session, we will delve into the concept of mindfulness and its impact on improving our thoughts and emotions. We will also introduce the concept of emotional intelligence and discuss strategies to enhance it. During week two, we will explore Buddha’s insights into adaptability and self-leadership. We will examine the concept of the “innermost center,” which is key to successfully leading ourselves and thriving in new environments. Dr. Nguyen will share his personal journey and experience with this, from growing up in a village in Vietnam to living in the United States and becoming an American citizen. As Buddha stated, conquering and mastering ourselves is the greatest victory in life; this forum aims to explore how Buddha’s insights can help us achieve that goal.

Thursday Forum is held in Kesler Auditorium on the first floor of Hickok Hall. Each weekly session begins with registration and refreshments from 8:45-9:15 AM, followed by the lecture until 11:30 AM. The presentations blend lecture, media such as film and music, and discussion.

Admission to each four-week forum series is $40. Admission to individual lectures and one- and two-week forums is $12 per week. Admission includes the lecture and morning refreshments of coffee, tea and pastries. Payment can be made in person on Thursday mornings by cash or personal check. Credit card payments can be processed by registering online in advance. For more information, visit the Thursday Forum website or call 319.399.8523.

In the event of inclement weather, consult local media outlets to find out if the day’s forum will take place.