The New Buddhism: The Western Transformation of an Ancient TraditionToday, many in western society find themselves seeking more satisfying spiritual lives. Faiths formerly seen as exotic have suddenly become attractive alternatives in our multicultural society. This is especially true of Buddhism, which is the focus of constant media attention, thanks in part to celebrity converts, major motion pictures, and the popularity of the Dalai Lama. Following this recent trend, James Coleman argues that a new and radically different form of this ancient faith is emerging.Investigating the contemporary scene, Coleman finds that Western teachers have borrowed liberally from different Buddhist traditions that have had little interaction with each other in Asia, that men and women practice together as equals, and that the path of meditation and spiritual practice is offered to everyone, not just an elite cadre of monks. Drawing on interviews with noted teachers and lay practitioners, as well as a survey completed by members of seven North American Buddhist centers, Coleman depicts the colorful variety of new Buddhists today, from dilettantes to devoted students and the dedicated teachers who guide their spiritual progress. He also details the problems that have arisen ,especially with regard to gender roles, sex, and power.Exploring the appeal of this exotic faith in postmodern society and questioning its future in a global consumer culture, The New Buddhism provides a thorough and fascinating guide to Western Buddhism today. |
Contents
WHAT IS THIS? | 3 |
ASIAN ROOTS The Origins of the Buddhist Tradition | 23 |
WESTERN FLOWER The Growth of the New Buddhism | 55 |
AT THE MARROW Practice and Belief | 91 |
SEX POWER AND CONFLICT | 139 |
WHY BUDDHISM? | 183 |
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American approach Asia Asian Asian Buddhism Asian teachers attracted behavior bodhisattva Buddha Buddhist centers Buddhist community Buddhist groups Buddhist practice Buddhist teachers Buddhist traditions Ch'an Chinese Christian culture dharma doctrine Dzogchen enlightenment ethical experience faith feel female FWBO gender guru important Indian Insight involved in Buddhism Jack Kornfield Japanese karma kind koan Lama Surya Das lineage lives Mahayana major male meditation practice monasteries monastic monks nonetheless nonsectarian groups organization participants percent practitioners priests problems psychedelic drugs relationship religion religious respondents retreat Rinpoche Rinzai rituals Rochester Zen Center Sakyamuni San Francisco Zen sangha sects sexual Shambhala sitting social society Spirit Rock spiritual Strongly Agree style survey sutras Suzuki Roshi tantric teachings techniques Theravadin Thich Nhat Hanh things Tibet Tibetan Buddhism Tibetan groups tion Toni Packer Trungpa Vajrayana Vipassana Vipassana teacher walking meditation West Western Buddhism wisdom women zazen Zen groups Zen master