Buddhism in America? (mystic, experience, Christianity, Christian, service)

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by Master Vigil

Is Buddhism in America a weird form of narcissistic Buddhism that completely misses the point of what Buddha was trying to teach?

Some of what passes for Buddhism in America, yes. Certainly not all of it.

It is stripped of all of its religious significance, and packaged as a do-it-yourself-self-help kind of thing. If you meditate, you will feel more relaxed, more able to enjoy life, more successful. And the point is to sell books and statues and such.

I cringe, even tho it demonstrates attachment, when I see Buddhas for sale in the "home decor" section of Target. Just this past Sunday, my minister remarked that while he was in a Berkeley health food store he heard something that he never thought he would hear, a woman walking up to a clerk and asking, "Pardon me, but do you have any little Buddhas?" And the clerk said yes!! Right next to the yoga mats, etc.

There is this "Buddhist" group in SoCal that teaches you that if you chant a certain mantra, you'll get things like sports cars and money...

[koan]

Lilithu, I would't worry about "Buddhas for sale". The first statue of the Buddha didn't appear till way after his death. In fact, he never wanted any statues and they ( the monks and nuns) originaly used engravings of his feet (follow in the Buddhas footsteps) as a representation. Aslo when looking at these icons, it's good to remember, that its just your mind that either objects or accepts these "Buddhas for sale".

[vandervalley]

Is Buddhism in America a weird form of narcissistic Buddhism that completely misses the point of what Buddha was trying to teach?

please give some examples for your claim

[Engyo]

V V -

Was Master Vigil making a claim, or asking a question? Looks like a question to me................

[MysticSang'ha]

Originally Posted by lilithu

Some of what passes for Buddhism in America, yes. Certainly not all of it.

It is stripped of all of its religious significance, and packaged as a do-it-yourself-self-help kind of thing. If you meditate, you will feel more relaxed, more able to enjoy life, more successful. And the point is to sell books and statues and such.

I cringe, even tho it demonstrates attachment, when I see Buddhas for sale in the "home decor" section of Target. Just this past Sunday, my minister remarked that while he was in a Berkeley health food store he heard something that he never thought he would hear, a woman walking up to a clerk and asking, "Pardon me, but do you have any little Buddhas?" And the clerk said yes!! Right next to the yoga mats, etc.

There is this "Buddhist" group in SoCal that teaches you that if you chant a certain mantra, you'll get things like sports cars and money...

I had started a thread over a year ago: Buddha has become a hip marketing tool.......is this a good thing?

And I opened the door for anyone who wanted to question the integrity and the authenticity of how Buddhism is studied here in the States - AND how Buddhism is marketed. Personally, I think it's all right and nothing to worry about. It's on the same level as anyone who prefers Christian decor/jewelry.

It's much different shopping for decor than it is shopping for sacred imagery/altar items like stupas and thangkas for the walls.

The SoCal group that you mention is one of the groups that I believe are on the same level as "The Secret" propaganda IMHO.




Peace,
Mystic

[doppelgänger]

Originally Posted by Master Vigil

Is Buddhism in America a weird form of narcissistic Buddhism that completely misses the point of what Buddha was trying to teach?

Wouldn't an institutionalized religion always be narcissistic and completely miss-the-point of what Buddha was trying to teach (regardless of where it is located)?

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by doppelgänger

Wouldn't an institutionalized religion always be narcissistic and completely miss-the-point of what Buddha was trying to teach (regardless of where it is located)?

The Buddha must not have thought so, since he institutionalized his teachings before he left us. It was he who started the sang'ha as the way in which to practice Buddhism.

[doppelgänger]

Originally Posted by lilithu

The Buddha must not have thought so, since he institutionalized his teachings before he left us. It was he who started the sang'ha as the way in which to practice Buddhism.

Hmmmm . . . . isn't that always the way it goes . . .