Where is Buddhism going?

[Snoopy]

Originally Posted by Blizzardry

On the serious side though, (I wish I didn't have one of those)

Me too, but I think it's shrinking!



s.

[Snoopy]

Originally Posted by 17th Angel

I want an outfit!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi 17th,

Well the outfit comes with the zen.
And the zen is the meditation.
And the meditation is
Just sitting.
(A bit like watching a cricket match, but without all that action).

s.

[17th Angel]

Where?

We're going to Disney Land!!

[Snoopy]

Hi,

What was it like?

s.

[17th Angel]

No idea I didn't go.

"where is Buddhism going?"

Originally Posted by 17th Angel

Where?

We're going to Disney Land!!

I know I said "we're" But they figured I wasn't a buddhist... So I got kicked off the coach.

[Snoopy]

bit tight of 'em.

[17th Angel]

I snook into the luggage bay. *shruggs*

[Snoopy]

Tao, from another thread: (there's probably a whizzy way to do it but I don't know how!)

Quote: Originally Posted by Tao_Equus

Though looking at a map seems to me that Buddhism is under assault on many fronts, its heartland multiply punctured. Do you think it will grow or diminish?

Which map? Care to share?

Care to elaborate while I think?!

(I actually tried to put some “facts” in my OP of this thread, if you'd care to peruse ).

As a general point, I think it is difficult to identify trends because official figures don’t of course always give an accurate picture; England is officially CoE but seems to be more and more secular, Japan is Shinto_Buddhist I think, but more and more secular…

s.

[Tao_Equus]

Originally Posted by Snoopy

Tao, from another thread: (there's probably a whizzy way to do it but I don't know how!)

Quote: Originally Posted by Tao_Equus

Though looking at a map seems to me that Buddhism is under assault on many fronts, its heartland multiply punctured. Do you think it will grow or diminish?

Which map? Care to share?

Care to elaborate while I think?!

(I actually tried to put some “facts” in my OP of this thread, if you'd care to peruse ).

As a general point, I think it is difficult to identify trends because official figures don’t of course always give an accurate picture; England is officially CoE but seems to be more and more secular, Japan is Shinto_Buddhist I think, but more and more secular…

s.

Is it possible for Buddhism to expand out of its home range in East Asia. Its under threat from Islam and yet may gain ground in China, if secularism does not evolve. I cannot see it expanding much in the west but I may be wrong. So what do you think?

[Snoopy]

Originally Posted by Tao_Equus

Is it possible for Buddhism to expand out of its home range in East Asia. Its under threat from Islam and yet may gain ground in China, if secularism does not evolve. I cannot see it expanding much in the west but I may be wrong. So what do you think?

Think? Oh sh1t.

Well…

I think a single answer doesn’t really address the question, you would have to look at it country by country. And for each country there is the issue of the official picture as opposed to people’s actual beliefs which may vary greatly. In my ignorance it seems quite “secure” numerically in countries such as Japan, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Burma. But of course this is for historical reasons and nothing stays the same!

Since my original post I have a read a little more about Buddhism in the UK. The fastest growing “organisations” are those that are somewhat more, shall we say, evangelical. That’s not my cup of tea, but if that’s keeping it alive? But at what cost?
What I quoted in my OP suggests Buddhism is doing quite well “numerically” in the West. Admittedly as relatively small numbers but as “converts” they represent (like me I suppose) people that have made an active choice rather than being born and brought up in a particular culture. And the numbers are apparently growing.

Perhaps as important (or more so?) is not just numbers but vitality (for want of a better word). I can’t remember who said it but I read that in Japan, Zen was said to be mostly dead wood, just an institutional church to be relied on mainly at funerals. Zen in the West is, by contrast, very much living wood.

I think your average Westerner, thinks of Buddhism as just another religion (oh sh1t, you do!), something to do with the exotic / weird Orient, a fat grinning man sitting cross-legged and avoiding being reincarnated as an animal. Not very appealing for the average Westerner I can see (or else it gets a little section on the book shelves in New Age shops for the Dalai Lama and relaxation books). But I think some people who look a little deeper find (behind any mis-perceived notions and the religious “trappings”), that it addresses some of the void that they see in their modern lives (am I evangelising now?....)

Finally, the Buddha predicted his teaching would wane away (till the next Buddha). And seeing as we all seem to be going to hell in a handcart (one way or another), he was probably right in at least that!

s.

[Netti-Netti]

I don't think Buddhism will take off in the US. The mindset is too focused on individualism to be compatible with a view that is centered on selflessness.

[citizenzen]

Originally Posted by Tao_Equus

Is it possible for Buddhism to expand out of its home range in East Asia. Its under threat from Islam and yet may gain ground in China, if secularism does not evolve. I cannot see it expanding much in the west but I may be wrong. So what do you think?

This Buddhist thinks that this is not a popularity contest.

The Buddha's teachings will impact who it impacts.

But of course answers like this...

don't make for great discussions.

[Snoopy]

Originally Posted by citizenzen

This Buddhist thinks that this is not a popularity contest.

The Buddha's teachings will impact who it impacts.

But of course answers like this...

don't make for great discussions.

Yah, I said in my OP "it" isn't a competition, but we could still talk about trends. So talk on!

s.

[Snoopy]

Originally Posted by Netti-Netti

The mindset is too focused on individualism

Perhaps Yanks could all be Theravadans

(ouch, sorry).

s.

[Nick_A]

Originally Posted by Netti-Netti

I don't think Buddhism will take off in the US. The mindset is too focused on individualism to be compatible with a view that is centered on selflessness.

Why should anyone be attracted to a choice between individualism and selflessness?