- Who are some celebrities who've taken to Buddhism?
( Is this at all important? )
Supermodel Kate Moss; golf superstar Tiger Woods; Ceo of Apple Steve Jobs; actors Orlando Bloom and Richard Gere; singers Tiny Turner, k.d. laing, and Leonard Cohen; jazz pianist Herbie Hancock; beatniks Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac; actresses Kate Hudson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Angelina Jolie has taught Buddhism to her son Maddox. Lisa, on The Simpsons, is Buddhist. And so on.
The importance of all this reflects the degree to which Buddhism saturates our own culture today. Ours is a culture fascinated with celebrity. So celebrity Buddhists become (1) a litmus test, reflecting how deeply Buddhism has indeed been making inroads in mainstream American culture, no longer an Eastern abstractonas well as (2) inspirational models for others interested in Buddhism.
- Does Buddhism speak to uncertain times?
Did you know? Yoga studios have reported a 20% increase in business since the economic downturn.
There's always increased interest in religion / spirituality during uncertain times. There's not more suffering now than ever, but people are rather more aware of it.
The Buddha's primary teachings are about suffering: needless suffering, as opposed to inevitable pain.
Buddhist economics make more sense now more than ever. Not merely an idealist "greater good" vs. our capitalist "greatest goods" but moreover a middle way between the two. For instance, learning inner contentment, one learns when consumption is enough, and when it's a reflection of craving for an illusory goal.
The Buddhist path emphasizes livelihood as a primary focus. As so many are rexamining their career paths, or having to reinvent themselves, the teachings become invaluable here too.
Buddhist teachings help us to understand the greed and ignorance that have gotten us into our economic mess, and how to see a better way possible.
The Buddha lived during one of the most tumultuous times in history, now known as the Axial Age. His establishment of one of the world's first monastic orders laid down an ethical system which is no less apt for our own times of sweeping change.
- Isn't Buddhism all seriousness? About suffering?
Well, why IS the Buddha smiling, anyway? Certainly, life and death are serious. Learning to accept things-as-they-are returns us to the inherent lightness of spirit.
To understand the nature of human suffering is to also see liberation from needless suffering.
While the Buddha teaches profound insights into the nature of human suffering, he simultaneously shows us the key to liberation from suffering is in our own hands all the time. All beings want the same thing: safety, health, prosperity, and ... happiness!
( It's an open secret that Buddhism is a key player in the current Happiness Movement, spearheaded by "positive psychology." )
What are some other common misconceptions about Buddhism?
(It's:
- idol worship
There's nothing to bow down to (or convert to). A statue or icon of the Buddha is but a reminder to us of our Buddha within ourselves -- that is, our own awakening. It's an image of an experience, not a thing.
- nihilist
What's commonly been translated as "nothing" or "emptiness" might better be rendered as "fertile void," "transparency," "blank essence," or "unlimited possibility" -- quite positive, indeed. (Without water, fish couldn't swim. Without silence there wouldn't be words.)
- escapist
Well, altho' there are emphases and tendencies in some practices pointing to a world beyond this one, Buddhism's really very this-worldly: "here and now" is primary. (If not now, when? And where ever you go ‹ there you are.)
- unpassionate, desireless
All living beings have desires. The trick is, rather, for us humans not to become attached to them -- not to identify ourselves with them, or to let them lead us by the nose.
- sexist
True, Buddhism became enmeshed in cultural norms of the countries in which it's practiced, often patriarchal and sexist in Asia. But the Buddha himself ordained his own mother and wife into his order. It takes time for everyone else to get the word; even Buddhists. The adoption of Buddhism in the West, where women's rights are more common, if not a given, is influencing the transformation of Eastern attitudes towards women.
- about meditation only
Many people are drawn to Buddhism (and Hinduism, Kaballah, Sufism, etc.) in order to access traditions of meditation that may seem dormant in their own religious heritage. However, Buddhism's as much an ethical system as it is meditational, as well as a font of awakened philosophical wisdom
And (as a bonus!) to dispel another misconception about meditation: it's not just something done on a pillow on a corner of a room, but continually, continuously. (If G-d is in a church or synagogue or mosque, then where's G-d the rest of the week?) It's your life.
- Where is Buddhism found in everyday life?
Besides stories about movie stars who practice Buddhism in the press, and movies and tv-shows that incorporate Buddhism, (Groundhog Day), such as Hollywood Buddha and Dharma & Greg.Also, "power bracelets," modeled after Buddhist prayer beads. We hear people say things like, "My karma ran over my dogma."
Looking deeper, we might also recognize that "mindfulness" and "emotional intelligence" are Westernized forms of Southeast Asian Buddhism by another name.
The revolution in America's eating habits (organic, slow food, localvore) can be traced to the national success of recipes from America's first Zen bakery/restaurant (Tassajara / Greens).
We also note the first printed book was invented for a Buddhist sutra (a copy's in the British Museum). The first formal school of flower arrangement was Buddhist (ikebanna), as was (arguably) the first novel (The Tale of Genji) . The literary form called haiku enjoyed by millions has roots in Zen; millions who've practiced creative journaling have been influenced by Zen Buddhist Natalie Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones.
The first formal school of psychology is Buddhist: (abidharma); Buddhist influence is felt today specifically in "positive psychology" (and the whole Happiness Movement). Buddhism has a been a strong influence on today's growing hospice movement. And the amazing breakthroughs in cognitive science (such as training your mind to change your brain) are fueled in large part by Buddhism.
Perhaps Egypt had the earliest university, but the unparallalled Buddhist college at Nalanda helped influence today's concept of continuing education (lifelong learning).
- Is it difficult for a Westerner to come to an Eastern mentality?
Does Buddhism contradict other religions?
Is Buddhism well-suited for the American way of
life?
Yup! Yowza! Yes, indeed! The Buddha was a real can-do kinda guy. A self-starter, who said, "Hey, here's what I discovered. Works for me. But try and see for yourselves," in a very pragmatic way that most Americans can appreciate. And doesn't the American Constitution assert everyone has a right to liberation and ... the pursuit of happiness? So his teachings could be considered as a branch of cherry blossoms thriving well after being grafted onto a hickory tree.
For one thing, consider all the fifth- and sixth-generation Asian Americans, for whom Buddhism is as natural as peas in a pod. (Are they not Westerners?)
As for people of European heritage, now that white kids have been born to American Buddhist parents, some even raised in monasteries and communes, such "Eastern" concepts as The Middle Way, karma, and interbeing are second-nature to them -- and quite American.
Spirituality of East and West have begun true dialogue in the 20th century, with much catching up yet to do.
Meanwhile, culture critics have noted how "Orientalism" sets up an exoticized "Other" as a distorted mirror in which we look to flatter ourselves.
And Buddhism complements any other spiritual tradition. Non-exclusive, there's nothing to convert to. Think of it as an extra pair of wings and watering roots, to what's already there.
And is it really a religion? Actually, Buddhism may be more of an educational system (a way of learning to learn: lifelong learning, using one's life as the classroom) ... or a science (a way of learning about the nature of What Is) than a religion, since creator deity and beginning of the universe aren't an issue here.
As interfaith has become a growing movement, we might consider too how Buddhism has been a universal religion, with something to contribute to anyone, tolerant and respectful of all other creeds.
- Is Buddhism just another flash-in-the-pan fad? Cover of Time one day, a faded trend tomorrow?
Just exactly how many people in America are Buddhists?
We live in a culture a bit obsessed with trends (what's in, what's out; who's up, who's down). But clearly Buddhism's now entered into mainstream consciousness to stay. It may never be a mainstream religion here, but it's now accessible to anyone. Witness too how such Buddhist concepts as karma and mantra are now in common parlance, as well as "mindfulness" and "emotional intelligence."
To gauge how many people might be on this path, Wuthnow and Cadge conducted a poll. Instead of asking "Are you a Buddhist?" (which wouldn't cover Benedictines who practice Zen, for instance), they simply asked, "Have you learned of teachings of the Buddha which you've kept with you as a positive influence in your life?"
Answer: One in eight said, "yes."
- What is the importance of this book being first presentation of all four schools of Buddhism practiced in the West? (Zen, Tibetan, Pure Land, and Insight Meditation)
The Dalai Lama doesn't teach Zen, and mindfulness doesn't teach the Pure Land. Each school has been bounded by natinoal self-identity. But in our globalized world, this generation is seeing what Joseph Goldstein has since called One Dharma. It's always important to see the whole picture, (in this case, what all Buddhists believe as well as how different schools vary), so as to appreciate both the forest and the trees. (Note: Pure Land, is the least publicized but also the largest Buddhist school in the world, and in America.)
- We read about the Dalai Lama but who is he? (The Buddhist Pope?) What will happen after he dies??
The Dalai Lama is considered as embodiment of the compassion of the universe. His Holiness the Dalai Lama XIV has become unofficial Ambassador of Buddhism in our times. Buddhism has no central committee, no Vatican, 'tho the Dalai Lama's honorific, "His Holness" is the same as we use foer the Pope. Tibetan Buddhism has five major schools of practice; he's considered to be chief of them all. Moreover, he's the traditional political leader of the Tibetan people, which no longer have an autonomous nation, being now part of China. He lives in Dharmsala, India) and has requested high-level talks with the leaders of the People's Republic of China. Meanwhile, the People's Republic of China, has chosen a new Panchen Lama (a holy office not quite as high as a Dalai Lama); during the French Revolution, the state also determined religious life. HHDL has also invested much of his time establishing and maintaining dialogue between Western scientists and Buddhist teachers, a substantial slice of this forming core curricula of the new revolution in cognitive science.
- Can Buddhism be boiled down into 10 words or less?
Or none!?
Sure. I explain early on in the book, Buddhism can be encapsulated in seven words: "Everything changes. It's all connected. Pay attention." (This summary was coined by American poet Jane Hirshfield, formerly a Zen Buddhist nun.) The Dalai Lama sums it all up in one word: kindness. It's all how you put it into practice.
The Buddha taught just by holding up a flower. (Compare with Jesus asking us to behold the lilies in the field. [Matthew VI:28.])
Note too: the last pages of my book are ... blank!
- What did the Buddhist nun get at the hair salon?
An impermanent!
[Ba-dum!]
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Buddhism
416 pages · ISBN: 9781592578818 · June 2009 · $18.95
Author: Gary Gach, San Francisco Calif
Please contact Wilks Communications at patty [at] wilkspr [dot] com, or 708-434-5006, for a review copy or to arrange an interview with
the author.
May all beings be well.