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Buddhism in the western world

DustyInTheMixDustyInTheMix
edited June 2011 in Buddhism Today
There is probably a discussion on this already but why do you think Buddhism has become more popular in the western world?

Comments

  • compassionate_warriorcompassionate_warrior Veteran
    edited June 2011
    The Tibetan diaspora, for one thing, and lamas establishing centers in the West, and the growth of Zen centers, as well.
  • personperson Don't believe everything you think The liminal space Veteran
    I agree with CW, also there is a growing realization in the west that material development alone can't meet our emotional and spiritual needs at the same time as some people are becoming disillusioned with the Judeo/Christian tradition.
  • zen_worldzen_world Veteran
    I will also add that scientific developments also lead some people to Buddhism. I.E. Quantum mechanics ( ...i am one of them...lol). We realize the close match between western science and Buddhism...
  • DustyInTheMixDustyInTheMix
    Very interesting it could also be because Buddhism is very relaxed and allows people of find their own spiritual path.
  • DakiniDakini Veteran
    Very interesting it could also be because Buddhism is very relaxed and allows people of find their own spiritual path.
    I think this does have a lot to do with it. Buddhism allows for critical thinking, which most other established religions don't.
  • DustyInTheMixDustyInTheMix
    Not to mention it allows us to slow down in a very high paste world.
  • DakiniDakini Veteran
    And Buddhism is so rational (at least, in its fundamentals. I don't know about those 31 realms...), and there's no make-believe. No bearded guy in the sky, no divine savior, angels, etc.
  • personperson Don't believe everything you think The liminal space Veteran
    Not to mention it allows us to slow down in a very high paste world.
    Sorry to poke fun, I gather english isn't your first language. But the image of a "high paste world" made me laugh. The proper spelling is paced, paste is a kind of glue children use.
  • DakiniDakini Veteran
    haha! I had to really restrain myself to not make the exact same post, person. "Pace", as in to "pace" yourself, the fast "pace" of life.
    But sometimes we native speakers of English make silly mistakes, too, because we're in a hurry, or we don't proofread our work. ( "there", "they're", "their", and all that sort of thing.)

    Welcome aboard, by the way, Dusty. :)
  • DustyInTheMixDustyInTheMix
    edited June 2011
    ha ha sorry about the spelling mistake I typed it wrong and then picked the wrong correct spelling lol.
  • mantra0mantra0

    ]t's science friendly (esp psychology and physics) and non dogmatic.
    It makes you feel peaceful
    and it has the exotic eastern aesthetic to it.
  • andyZandyZ
    It explains the reality closest to the actual reality :) In Zen they'd say Buddhism is the reality.
  • KarmaDondrupTashiKarmaDondrupTashi

    and it has the exotic eastern aesthetic to it.
    Hehe. Yes there are cool robes.
  • vinlynvinlyn Colorado...for now Veteran
    I have to disagree with the comments about Buddhism being scientific. I think it is fair to say that Buddhism is not anti-science. It is far more open-minded. But many aspects of Buddhism have not undergone true scientific scrutiny.
  • YishaiYishai Veteran
    The critical thinking aspect is important to me. The fact that it invites questions and offers good answers is hugely appealing.

    My experience with Christianity (where I came from) was to not ask questions, or if you did, be satisfied with some sloppy answer.

    I was much more interested in understanding developing into faith than faith developing into 'understanding'. If you take faith first, there is no reason to seek understanding. If you have complete trust in something before you understand it, why would you feel the need to investigate if you already trust it? This is where I felt like Christianity did not invite critical thinking. Yet, when I did decide to critically think about it, I lost what faith I had. The more I thought, the more I lost faith.

    This is all me, and I'm not saying it's true of one religion or another. I'm just saying my experience as a westerner.

    As far as Buddhism gaining popularity in the West, I think it has a lot to do with Tibet, cultural trading, immigration, information-at-a-click, and many other things. The ideas and beliefs of the world are becoming more and more accessible.
  • VincenziVincenzi Veteran
    I have to disagree with the comments about Buddhism being scientific. I think it is fair to say that Buddhism is not anti-science. It is far more open-minded. But many aspects of Buddhism have not undergone true scientific scrutiny.
    maybe by scientific, what some buddhists mean is that Shakyamuni used a scientific method to understand the cause and cessation of suffering. for example, after experimenting and failing, he proposed the middle way... and so on.
  • vinlynvinlyn Colorado...for now Veteran
    I have to disagree with the comments about Buddhism being scientific. I think it is fair to say that Buddhism is not anti-science. It is far more open-minded. But many aspects of Buddhism have not undergone true scientific scrutiny.
    maybe by scientific, what some buddhists mean is that Shakyamuni used a scientific method to understand the cause and cessation of suffering. for example, after experimenting and failing, he proposed the middle way... and so on.
    People on this forum have gone much further in their claims than that. I think Yishai's post above is pretty fair and realistic.

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