Western Buddhism Debate
Commenters debate the nature of Buddhism, contrasting Western secular interpretations focused on philosophy, meditation, and practice with traditional religious elements like rituals, deities, reincarnation, and sects such as Zen and Pure Land.
Activity Over Time
Top Contributors
Keywords
Sample Comments
Using examples from disparate sects of Buddhism as if there is some kind of monolithic âBuddhismâ is like saying Judaism, Islam and Christianity, and all their various sects are the same. For instance on reincarnation, Pure Land Buddhists are closer to the Christian heaven view, and many Zen Buddhists donât believe in reincarnation at all, and that Karma is not permanent.The big point that Buddhism has been stripped of the metaphysical religious aspects is true though, but the article lays th
real Buddhism hasn't been tried yet
Become a Buddhist. Not kidding.
Can you recommend readings about the Buddhist take on this?
Thereâs this Western conception of Buddhism that stripes away a lot of the religious beliefsâSiddhartha wasnât divine at all, there is no Amitabha, Ksitigarbha is a folk tale. The emphasis is all on practice. Meditation, the 4 noble truths, Middle Way, etc.This doesnât represent true Buddhism like Asians would recognize it, but I think it does highlight how you can build a practice and adopt the world outlook without the supernatural.A low-level Zen inspired practice may be what youâre loo
You're right. My knowledge is about the Buddhist traditions.
The author doesn't seem to understand Buddhism, nor I but it could be important to remember that "If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him", and also the concept of Upaya [1].[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upaya
Is this also a Buddhist belief?
Study Buddhism - you'll stop worrying about it.
I would say it's the western Buddhism :)