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Post by siftingtothetruth on May 24, 2019 23:42:04 GMT
In the US, at least -- and perhaps the rest of the West -- Buddhism stands, in the popular mind, for everything to do with non-duality, meditation, enlightenment, etc.
It's all Buddhism.
Seems to me if a random person wanted to investigate these things, they would almost certainly turn to Buddhism as an instinctive first choice. They'd go to some Zendo or other Buddhist meditation center, read some Jack Kornfield book or something by Thich Nhat somebody.
Even if they heard about mystical Hinduism or Christianity, they'd be likely to say, if they understood, "Oh, that's kind of like Buddhism, right?"
Why does Buddhism have such a powerful monopoly of the cultural imagination on these points?
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muttley
Super Duper Senior Member
Posts: 4,394
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Post by muttley on May 25, 2019 18:41:00 GMT
In the US, at least -- and perhaps the rest of the West -- Buddhism stands, in the popular mind, for everything to do with non-duality, meditation, enlightenment, etc. It's all Buddhism. Seems to me if a random person wanted to investigate these things, they would almost certainly turn to Buddhism as an instinctive first choice. They'd go to some Zendo or other Buddhist meditation center, read some Jack Kornfield book or something by Thich Nhat somebody. Even if they heard about mystical Hinduism or Christianity, they'd be likely to say, if they understood, "Oh, that's kind of like Buddhism, right?" Why does Buddhism have such a powerful monopoly of the cultural imagination on these points? This is an interesting perception you share, and while my take on the situation is different, I might be able to offer a few observations that reinforce yours.
Certainly, the Buddhists are well-organized, and the eight-fold path bears some recognizable similarities to certain Christian ideals of living a moral life. Also, the apparent, outward-facing pantheism of the Hindu deities lends itself to a ready Western misconception based on "God". The buttoned-up solemnity of Zen, along with the notion of looking inward with self-discipline, resonates with Catholic and other Christian cultures that challenge their practitioners to take responsibility for their relationships with other people and the world generally. It seems to me that there also might be a socio-economic factor involved: look, for instance, to the background of Alan Watts. Socially controlled and well-ordered gatherings have an appeal to those who are in the positions of cultural influence in the West.
This isn't entirely a one-way street, nor the whole story, because, in counterpoint, the only reason I know about Niz and R.M. is because of the travels of a generation of Western seekers, many if not most of whom were children of wealthy families. Also, you can look to what is sort of a transitional culture in Himalayan Buddhism, which arguably has a disproportionate influence on Western culture to the number and intensity of cultural contacts: for example, there's nothing really parallel to the American occupation of Japan after WWII, but yet, the "Dalai Lama" is a household term, and notice how Tibetan Buddhism shares certain ideas with Hindu belief systems that differentiate both from far-east Buddhism, namely: reincarnation.
My perception of American nonduality is that the influences are far and wide, and to trace them, you can start with the "new age" and secular humanism. "The Universe" is an obvious monism, and lets not forget the current suburban ubiquity of "Yoga".  A third vector you didn't consider is the Tao, which seems to me particularly influential with regard to Western notions of "energy", and how that topic relates to the secularist monism.
Finally, I'd say, the Hindu signal is quite loud and clear in American and Western culture if you know where to look and listen for it, but it's definitely on appropriated and filtered terms. I'll give three examples (which are only three of many possible), two relatively modern, another centuries old. One modern example is the lyrics of Peter Townsend. Andy got curious a few months back and looked up the fact (that I didn't know), that Pete was a devotee of a guy named Baba. Another example, also English, is this: where the heck did Billy Shakes get the inspiration for Hamlet, anyway?
The third example is one that both rowan and satch are quite familiar with: Transcendental Meditation.
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Post by siftingtothetruth on May 26, 2019 4:07:30 GMT
In the US, at least -- and perhaps the rest of the West -- Buddhism stands, in the popular mind, for everything to do with non-duality, meditation, enlightenment, etc. It's all Buddhism. Seems to me if a random person wanted to investigate these things, they would almost certainly turn to Buddhism as an instinctive first choice. They'd go to some Zendo or other Buddhist meditation center, read some Jack Kornfield book or something by Thich Nhat somebody. Even if they heard about mystical Hinduism or Christianity, they'd be likely to say, if they understood, "Oh, that's kind of like Buddhism, right?" Why does Buddhism have such a powerful monopoly of the cultural imagination on these points? In my opinion it's the Baby Boomers in this country. We fought two wars- in Asia, and Southeast Asia, and when the servicemen there weren't fighting they were exploring the cultures. They brought it home with them. The 'draft' was still a reality, and I'm sure they didn't want to be there. Of course, the Beatles, and the time they spent with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi had an astounding impact back in the Woodstock/anti-war era in this country. There is just something about the Eastern aspects that ring true, (simplicity?), possibly because they were birthed in ancient cultures, as opposed to the oppressive demands within the major Christian sects, which are more like the Johnny-come-latelies-give-us-more-money-for-your-salvation thang. More freedom to explore our true nature without the condemnation, and profit motive. The 'collective consciousness' was arising. As I look around these days, I can't help but ponder something Carlin once had to say- THE CHRISTIANS ARE COMING TO GET YOU. AND THEY ARE NOT PLEASANT PEOPLE... He may be right.  Just my take on it this Memorial Day weekend. Peace, man.  Makes sense! Have to say though that yoga seems more connected with the physical positions & with a "healthy, conscious lifestyle" in people's minds, whereas enlightenment/self-realizatino seems equated with Buddhism. |
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Post by siftingtothetruth on May 26, 2019 13:27:12 GMT
Makes sense! Have to say though that yoga seems more connected with the physical positions & with a "healthy, conscious lifestyle" in people's minds, whereas enlightenment/self-realizatino seems equated with Buddhism. Yeah, I once read there's a yoga studio now on every corner in, Manhattan. Even we have a yoga studio at the Wellness Center where we live, and there is a yoga group that floats around town in the different schools here, too. I did get curious upon reading your response, and looked up the 8 limbs of Yoga. Let's see how I score... yama (attitudes toward our environment). -Check niyama (attitudes toward ourselves). -Check asana (physical postures). -Not a chance pranayama (breathing practices). -Nope pratyahara (sense restraint) -Nope dharana (concentration) -Check dhyana (meditation) -Check samadhi (complete integration) -Not sure Looks like I'm batting .500 on the yoga scale. Ha well the average yoga goer has no idea about the 8 limbs of yoga. That’s not what’s taught. What they know is asana and maybe pranayama and that’s it. |
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A third vector you didn't consider is the Tao, which seems to me particularly influential with regard to Western notions of "energy", and how that topic relates to the secularist monism.
