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Monthly Archives: June 2011
A new World Religion
“Buddhism”—the “great world religion” we have today—was invented in the 1800s. The following ideas—which profoundly shape our practice—date to that century: There is such a thing as “Buddhism” It is a religion It is one religion with several sects It … Continue reading
The Heart-Healthy Sutra
The Heart Sutra is my favorite Buddhist scripture. It is profound and beautiful. As Buddhist scripture goes, it’s remarkably concise. Still, I think it could stand to go on a diet. Color key (see notes at bottom for further explanation): … Continue reading
Problems with scripture
“Protestant Buddhism” inherits from Protestant Christianity the idea that scripture is the ultimate spiritual authority. Many Western Buddhists take this for granted; others dismiss it. Authority, and the role of scripture, has passed through three phases in Buddhism: Traditional Buddhism: … Continue reading
Protestant Buddhism
Many Western Buddhists would consider the following ideas obviously true, and perhaps as defining Buddhism: Everyone can potentially attain enlightenment Religious practice is your personal responsibility; no one can do it for you You don’t necessarily have to have help … Continue reading
Modern Buddhism: Forged as anti-colonial weapon
What we think of as “Western Buddhism” actually began in Asia, in the 1860s. It was invented as a way of fighting back against Western military and religious aggression. To counter Western threats, Asian rulers forced Buddhism to incorporate many … Continue reading
Posted in Consensus Buddhism
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Inclusion, exclusion, unity and diversity
“Consensus Western Buddhism” is supposed to be inclusive. That is one of its main themes. It is a big tent, in which we can be one happy family, respecting each others’ differences, yet celebrating the shared essential core of Buddhism, … Continue reading
The Making of Buddhist Modernism
David L. McMahan’s The Making of Buddhist Modernism has changed the way I think about Buddhism more than any book I’ve read in years. I think it’s destined to be an influential classic. It’s a history of how and why … Continue reading
Nice Buddhism & ethics: a reply
Barbara O’Brien, the official About.com Buddhist Guide, has written a reply to my post about “Nice Buddhism.” (Thanks, Barbara, for the commentary!) I couldn’t quite get my response into the about.com comment length limit, so I’m posting it here. She … Continue reading
Traditional and modern Buddhism: an illusory duopoly
Buddhism in the West has settled into two main camps: traditional and modern. They now coexist peacefully, but both actively suppress the alternatives that are neither traditional nor modern. I think traditional and modern approaches are both unworkable, in ways … Continue reading
“Nice” Buddhism
Consensus Western Buddhism is a religion of niceness. Unfortunately, niceness does not define Buddhism, or have anything much to do with it. To give the impression that the Consensus is what Buddhism naturally should be, it has to suppress all … Continue reading
