Buddhism is a religion from the East that has spread to many different countries all over the world. It has spread to the West, and has had a great influence and impact, especially in America. However, the Buddhism that is practiced in the United States is not exactly the same as the one that is practiced in Asian countries. If Buddhism differs between the different traditions of the Asian countries themselves, it is obvious that it will differ greatly in America as well. However, even though there are obvious differences, it is important to maintain the core values and fundamental principles the same. This research explores how the three different types of Buddhist practitioners have adopted Buddhism in America, and it describes some differences …show more content…
Three major groups of Buddhist practitioners can be identified within American Buddhism. The first group consists of the native-born Americans who have adopted Buddhist teachings over the years. They include Asian, African, and Native American. Another group can be identified as the Buddhist refugees and immigrants who came to the United States and are working to adapt their traditions and practices to the American country. The third group consists of Asian Americans, especially from China or Japan, who have been Buddhist practitioners for several generations. Each group has a particular way of practicing Buddhism, and engages in different efforts to adapt and adopt Buddhism. When trying to Americanize the dharma, converts many times separate meditation from other Asian Buddhist rituals that they consider elements of Asian culture and view them as unnecessary. They usually look for ways to adapt the dharma teachings to a mainstream American society. In some cases, they develop new Buddhist rituals by integrating aspects of different religions to the dharma practice. Immigrants engage in specific activities with the goal of recreating their original religious practices in their new communities. For example, they partake in rituals with roots in the early form of Buddhism, they assist the monks, prepare them food, chant, attend services, and demonstrate devotion to the dharma by engaging in wholesome actions. They …show more content…
For example, the Four Noble Truths are understood in a humanistic, secular, and modern manner. The sangha can be a group of people engaging in meditation together, a community of people that practice the same tradition, or even the whole Buddhist community. Even a new view of the sangha has arised, the cyber-sangha, a Buddhist community that communicates virtually, through dharma group chats, list servers, etc. This is an obvious example of how technology, a factor of great importance to the American culture, has been used to integrate ad practice Buddhism among the American society. Americans have created their own vision of Buddhism with the unique understandings of the United States, its objectives and potential. Their idea of what a good or “mindful” society should be like is influenced by their beliefs. Such beliefs include: the specific qualities that Americans should have, the practices they should engage in, their participation in politics, law, education, legal and medical systems, the military, and so on. The adoption of mindfulness to all these important aspects that are highly valued by Americans is how the believe they create a good, mindful
Before reading "The American Encounter with Buddhism, 1844-1912: Victorian Culture and the Limits of Dissent" by Thomas A. Tweed I had no experience with Buddhism except for what I have seen in the movies and in the media. Seeing Buddhism through these different sources, it does not portray an accurate illustration of what the religion is truly regarding. Having little to no knowledge about the background of the religion makes reading this book both interesting and a little difficult to read at the same time. In Buddhism, two groupings define the religion. The first group is known as "The Four Noble Truths of Buddhism," the categories underneath are life means suffering, the origin of suffering is attachment, the cessation of suffering is attainable, and lastly, the path to the cessation of suffering. The second group is "The Eightfold Path," which consists of, the right view, the right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and lastly, the right concentration. Once read and understood the different points, it made this literature easier to comprehend and made for smoother reading.
In a quote from the Dalai Lama he says, “My religion is very simply. My religion is kindness.” IN buddhism where the main goal is happiness, that quote seems to explain it all. The fact of the matter is, religion has been around since the beginning of mankind; religion gave people faith, structure, and a way of life. Without it people begin to lose their sense of direction and purpose. In today’s society there are over 4,200 religions, and they continue to aid people in their life and accommodate to their needs of self-knowledge. In comparison to Cao Dai, Eckankar and Jainism, Buddhism is a religion because of its similar beliefs, the way it's practiced, and its head figure.
Through the teachings of the Buddha found in ….. , Buddhist adherents are given the direction to which is points to the ideal way of living. These teachings allow adherents to build Karma and work their way to enlightenment by eliminating desire. As adherents follow core Buddhist beliefs such as the Noble Eightfold path, and the 5 Precepts, they walk the “middle way”, as well as quench desire, and achieve the ultimate goal of Nirvana. These teachings come in the form of sacred writings, of the Tripitaka or the Pali Canon, and make a significant impact on individuals and the community
Asians are one of the fastest growing groups in the United States and their culture is unique. A majority of the Asian culture is known for making big dinners to bring the family together to simply talk or celebrate together. There are three main categories of Asian dietary culture, which are the southwest, northwest and southeast. We will be focusing on the second largest dietary culture of Asia, which is in the northeast that contains China, Korea, and Japan. Food in this culture is not only a method of fueling ones body it is also used in certain types of medicines to heal ailments and also used in religious offerings.
Buddhism is currently the fourth most popular religion in our society today, following Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. Its major ideologies are based on the philosophies of Siddhartha Guatama, also known as “Buddha”, who began his teachings in 598 BCE at the age of 35, according to Buddhist texts. A Buddhist’s foremost aspiration is the obtainment of Bodhi, or enlightenment through meditation and Anapana-sati (awareness of the breath). Buddhism shares many ideologies with India’s Hinduism and Yoga such as non-harming, non-violence, and self-awareness. In many instances, people regard Buddhism as a way of life rather than a religion, for it has no clear belief in the idea of a God or Gods. Its structure is built upon a hierarchy much like Christianity where superior orders such as Lamas or the Dalai Lama are said to be chosen by nature through the process of reincarnation rather than by a council like Christianity’s Pope. Though these “higher level” Buddhists are rare (not everyone is a reincarnation of an ancient Buddhist “priest”), all are permitted to follow “The Middle Way” either as a Buddhist monk or the simple attendance of a weekly teaching session from time to time. Throughout the last few hundred years the Buddhist population has blossomed into a healthy 381,611,000 and over fifteen different sects including Zen, Mahayana, and Theravada.
The popularity of Buddhism in America became most pronounce in the period after World War II. It is interesting to note that the United States had just concluded the most devastating war in human history, with the first use of the atomic bomb on the Empire of Japan, yet the Japanese of style Buddhism took hold in America more than other school after the war. It could be said that the main figure head of Japanese, or more precisely, Zen Buddhism, in America was the author and intellectual Dr. D.T. Suzuki. In terms of the American expression of Buddhism, Suzuki had more influence over the interpretation of Zen philosophy than any other writer of the time.
Christianity and Islam are monotheistic religions, but Buddhism differs from those religions as it is considered more of a ‘lifestyle’ than a specific type of religion. Buddhism centers around ...
Thích Nh’at Hanh is a world renowned Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, religious figure and accomplished writer. Living Buddha, Living Christ is only one of his many famous publications. Thích Nh’at Hanh, is famous for his insights into spiritual heritage and mindfulness in the present moment. Many Americans are seeking religious understanding and personal spirituality, even if they do not practice in the traditional manner. Throughout this book Nh’at Hang encourages readers to find meaning, understanding, mindfulness, and peace in the teachings of Buddha and Christ. His main focus is to open meaningful dialogue between different traditions, cultures, and religious groups around the world, for the betterment
The study of Buddhism over the past century or so has resembled the encounter of the blind men and the elephant in many ways. Students of Buddhism have tended to fasten onto a small part of the tradition and assume their conclusions held true about the whole. Often the parts they have seized on have been a little like the elephant's tusks a striking, but unrepresentative, part of the whole animal. As a result, many erroneous and sweeping generalizations about Buddhism have been made, such as that it is 'negative', 'world-denying', 'pessimistic', and so forth.
Addressing a theme that is related to the growth and development of Buddhism is Asian immigration and Asian American communities. I analyzed immigration between Asians and Latinos immigration. Furthermore, I will be focusing on the growth and how it helped develop Buddhism in America. The impact of immigration could have help Buddhism in America grow and have individuals interest in Buddhism. To conclude, I will determine if the impact of immigration helped Buddhism in America grow.
Buddhism "addresses a continuing Western thirst for spirituality and mysticism". With one of Buddhism's key appeal to Westerners being that it doesn't offend their reason as it not only agrees with evolution but it doesn't require blind faith. Since the Buddha urges followers to just to take his word for it, but to test it for themselves to see if, things like meditation could work in their own experience. Buddhism is also extremely adaptable to the different cultural circumstances that can occur. Making it a universal religion, that’s more concerned with the structure society together. It teaches that anyone can develop spirituality and can become more positive, regardless of their gender, race, or sexual orientation making the religion
"Buddhism's Core Beliefs." ReligiousTolerance.org by the Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2014.
Buddhism is one of the major world religions with many followers around the world. It is unique in its nature as it is frequently referred to as a ‘spiritual tradition’ (Miller, 2010). Buddhism focuses on personal spiritual development and the attainment of a deep insight into the true nature of life (Johnston, 2003). Buddhists believe that nothing is fixed or permanent and that change is always possible. This belief in the impermanence of all things underpins the Buddhist interpretation of the world and reality (Maguire, 2001).
Since the 1970’s, non-Christian religions have had an increasing popularity particularly through Buddhism. Between the years 2006 and 2011, there has been an increase of more than 100,000 people nominating themsleves as Buddhist’s.
...hat places a high value and ones self worth in “things”, I think this is why many American are attract to the simplistic views taught in Buddhism.