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Why few Black Buddhists?
I know a Tina Turner is a Buddhist (http://www.purifymind.com/TinaTurner.htm) a popular Black celebrity Buddhist. I saw two Black Buddhists monk on TV while watching some International Chinese channel. On the latest issue of Tricycle magazine, there's a Black guy I think in the background riding a rollercoaster http://www.tricycle.com/issues/tricycle/
There's also a theory (unproven and merely speculation) that Buddha was of Negroid origin by research and work done by a scholar named Godfrey Higgins (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godfrey_Higgins).
http://www.cwo.com/~lucumi/india.html
Nevertheless, do you think the African-African community in America would have more great Black leaders today? That there would be less steroptyical violence statistics stigma from Blacks and are known as the most non-violence and peaceful group in America?
There's also a theory (unproven and merely speculation) that Buddha was of Negroid origin by research and work done by a scholar named Godfrey Higgins (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godfrey_Higgins).
http://www.cwo.com/~lucumi/india.html
Nevertheless, do you think the African-African community in America would have more great Black leaders today? That there would be less steroptyical violence statistics stigma from Blacks and are known as the most non-violence and peaceful group in America?
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Comments
Hmmm... I don't know how to respond to some of this post. Especially the last part. I'll have to think about that paragraph.
As for the origin of Buddha - he was from India. People from India sure don't look like people of European descent. So, I would assume that Siddhartha looked like the people from his area and descent. Which - I think is good.
I just hope that Buddhism doesn't become so popular in the West that Buddha starts looking like a young Nick Nolte.
As for "Black" leaders.. I'm having a hard time with this statement and singling out "black" as something different than just the general populace...
I think that black Americans have a lot of great black leaders. There are blacks in all areas and levels of our society/world. I think there are many great black leaders in various communities, churches and religions that maybe just don't crave the "hollywood" type status that maybe a lot of "hungry" whites do.
I think that television also plays a part in ideas that our children form. There are some types of music that glorify the "gangsta" image for both white and black. There are other forms of music that glorify the "punk/anarchy" image - for both black and white. Or for whoever it appeals to.
I think it must be realized too, especially in the US, that blacks may still be the minority. I haven't checked stats - so I don't know for sure, but I'm just taking a guess here. It also wasn't very long ago that segregation was the US norm. Maybe there is still too much of a redneck mentatlity in the US.
But, there are great black leaders everywhere that people can learn from.
Steven Biko and Nelson Mandela taught great lessons of bravery, indomitable spirit, courage and character - even in the face of death. I wish I was as strong in my beliefs as these two men.
-bf
It seems that quite a few black people turn to Islam - has anyone else noticed this?
Very interesting .... ummm... statements he had.
I don't mean for this to sound slanted or as being a racial issue... but here goes...
I "think" (I don't know for sure, but "think") that part of what might draw blacks to the Nation of Islam is a sense of self or enpowerment.
I can't say this from out-and-out knowledge, because the blacks I know don't live in poor areas, don't live in tenements or areas of high unemployment, etc. Plus, where I live, there isn't a lot of racial tension or people forcing their racial hatred upon everyone else. I'm not saying it's the best - but race doesn't seem to be a big issue where I live. In fact, we don't even talk about black or Asian - they're just Bobby, Dwight, Craig, Mits, etc.
I believe the Nation of Islam, with it's teachings, give some of it's followers (possibly) a sense of self, a sense of belonging to something much larger than life itself and much greater than any other race or creed or religion.
Some people gravitate towards this sort of teaching or "support". Happens in various churches or religions all over the place - so this shouldn't be read with the mindset that "this only happens in the Nation of Islam".
The Nation of Islam is very pro-black. And in some communities - this may be exactly what some people need in their lives.
Just a couple of thoughts...
-bf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbie_Hancock
http://www.herbiehancock.com/
The short answer is, that it doesn't matter... it's all conjecture so why worry? I'll tell you what, when I next meet the Buddha, I'll take a snapshot and send it back....
And western buddhists do indeed , the same as a christian. Follow blindly without question. the western buddhist is most often someone that has rejected christianity and looks for something else. And now there are many "smart" buddhists to take advantage of that.
For example : IF i was to have a following of 5000 people. The first thing is to tell them the harsh reality. Of those that remain i would further tell them of the harsh reality. And of those few yet remaining i might , might let them waste some of my short life.. Which means , anyone that seeks to embrace you, does not know.........