Utah woman becomes newest minister at SLC Buddhist Temple

By Megan Marsden Christensen

December 11th, 2014 @ 8:02pm

SALT LAKE CITY A Utah woman recently ordained became the newest minister to serve in the historic, 102-year-old Salt Lake Buddhist Temple this week.

Dr. Carmela Javellana, a full-time integrated psychiatrist, grew up in the Philippines as a self-described good Catholic girl, but when she immigrated to the United States, she felt an absence of her identity.

Javellana said that as a new immigrant, her need to find her place in American society took precedence over her desire for religion.

It wasnt until her mother died in 1999 that the reality of mortality hit her.

She turned to Zen Buddhism, which she described as being something she can trust.

Zen Buddhism, at its heart, meant practicing meditation.

Javellana said she was content with just sitting in meditation, but when she got a divorce, she felt a push to seek a better life.

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Utah woman becomes newest minister at SLC Buddhist Temple