Narrative Summary
Interview with Holly Graves by Lacee Roseblock
Holly Graves was born in the 1950’s in Greene County, Missouri, United State of
America. Graves lived in Missouri for most of her life but also live in Austin, Texas for twentysix years. She moved back to Springfield in 2007 and is a retail clerk. While in Texas, Graves
went on a spiritual journey to find a religion that best fit her personality. As a young child
Graves was a Christian, even though her parents were not religious. Growing up she attended
church on occasion with her neighbors and friends. But Graves always knew that there must have
been more to life. So she started researching different world religions like Islam, Hinduism and
Buddhism. Graves started to attend a Hindu temple in Texas, but found that she could not believe
in all of their concepts. Later she found out that the Hindu temple was a cult and was glad she
did not become a member. Graves was still searching again for a faith in which she believed in.
She loved meditation. She was in search for faith mixed well with faith and meditation. She
began picking out books about meditation, and there she began reading about Buddhism.
While reading books about Buddhism, Graves realized that she did not have to believe in
any gods to be a Buddhist. She began reading more books and became knowledgeable about the
four noble truths and the eight-fold path and become more entranced with meditation. Graves
studied Tibetan Buddhism for a while and realized it was not for her became of all the different
deities. For Graves, Buddhism is more of a philosophy then a religion. She believes that
Buddhism can be a religion but she has chosen more of a philosophical approach. Her main goal
in life is to become a better person and become more in peace with herself.
Graves explains that Buddhism has helped her with the death of her mother, and her
battle with breast cancer. She believes that Buddhism has helped her with her hardest struggle of
Missouri State University
Spring 2014
Religious Lives of Ozarks Women
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all, herself. Buddhism has given her the strength to overcome these difficulties. She believes that
since Western Buddhism is gender equal, it has given her more empowerment. Buddhism has no
gender biases between men and women. They both have the capacity to become better people
and to walk along the path.
Now Graves is one of the main leaders of the Buddhist group here in Springfield,
Missouri. The Buddhist group has their sessions at the Vietnamese temple in Springfield,
Missouri. Where they meditate and then do discussions over Buddhist readings. Her group has
been involved with Kiva and stream team in the past. She hopes to continue doing philanthropy
work here in the Ozarks. Graves explains that the group is a good core group of eight to twelve
people. They have a lot of people check them out, especially students for their college courses.
Graves believes that since Springfield is a university town and society is changing across the
country that perhaps Buddhism will grow to some extent in the Ozarks. Graves believes that if
their group gained a Buddhist teacher or official leader. It would help the group to grow and
bring more awareness in Springfield.
Graves hopes in the future she will be able to step back from her leadership role and
allow other people to step up. Maybe possibly when she becomes older she might move to a
large Buddhist community. So she could spend her last days with light-minded people. After
talking about moving Graves realized that she could never leave the Ozarks. She considers the
Ozarks her home and feels that she would miss it to much.
Missouri State University
Spring 2014
Religious Lives of Ozarks Women