buddhism in the west

Buddhism in the west 

Buddhist groups in England-Thai Forest tradition, tiratna community, kadampa tradition, sokkaGakai. 

The Westen ideas were highly influenced by the enlightenment era and the ideas of Kant, Hume Leibniz. 

Thai forest and triratna are the most contrasting. The first westerners to take an interest in Buddhism were Christian missionaries who wanted to support Buddhism in Sri Lanka. English civil servants took an interest in Buddhism mostly out of academic and linguistic interests. The Pali text society translated Theravadan texts into English in 1881. 

Attitudes to Buddhism- in the early days Buddhism was studied from the point of view that it was interesting yet inferior to western philosophy. Colonoism us the notion culture is superior to anything produced in the colonies which the British empire ruled.  

Protestant Buddhism- going back to the scriptures of Buddhism and establishing what religion should be about. 

Christmas Humphreys founded the Buddhist society. 

Post WWII- British culture changed radically, entering a post- modern age in society, people began to question the old ways more. Hippie ‘Hower power’ of the 60s made experimenting with eastern culture cool. Individuality increased; people turned to Buddhism for new opportunities. 

The English sangha trust- interested in the intellectual side of Buddhism and the practises. 

Thaiforest sangha- established by Ajahn Sumedh, near Walford, around 3 other monasteries. Authentic ThaiTheravada Buddhism with a few adaptions.  

Soka Gakkai- largest group of British Buddhists. Popular among artists and actors due to the way they socialise. Headquarters in London, main practise involves a chant and is aimed more at extroverted people. 

Secular Buddhism- at least 20% of non-Asian converts identified as Buddhists but are not affiliated with a particular group, however they are the largest group. 

Secular characteristics- metaphysical beliefs such as karma and rebirth can be too difficult to believe in. Meditation makes sense for therapeutic reasons. The realms of samara interpreted in a psychological way, each realm represents human emotions and experiences. 

Dalai lama- rebirth of avolotikisvera- ‘ocean of wisdom’- first Dalai lama died in 1474, he is the political leader of Tibet, sometimes referred to as the ‘god-king’. For 65 years he has led his people in exile and has become a beacon of hope and the voice of reconciliation among his people. He has kept religion alive by travelling the world and keeping Tibet in the spotlight. 

Buddhism to the west-  

The spread of Buddhism in the west is because of migration and the popularity of Buddhists ideas. Western stereotypes include; vegetarianism, uniform language, beliefs about heaven and reincarnation. 

The spread of Buddhism to the west has come through three main channels: academic study, philosophy, culture and the arts, and Buddhist immigration.  

The European enlightenment- the developments in European thoughts and attitudes to religion, philosophy arts and politics, the rise of the…