RG ST 71 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: D. T. Suzuki, Nibble, Paul Carus
Buddhism in America: Sum of all the different types/traditions/processes in the United States
Modern Buddhism
American Buddhism: distinct form of Buddhism consonant with the culture and values of the US
Engaged Buddhism: Buddhists who are engaged in environmentalism, racial and social justice,
political protests
➔Left wing
➔They have taken modern form of Buddhism and have employed scientific legitimation
into environmental processes
Non-denominational Buddhism: practices of each sect can be blended
Modern Buddhism
➔Martin Baumann (four stages of Buddhist development)
◆Canonical
● origins of Buddhism
● Buddha is alive and original texts are being written
◆Traditionalist
● Additional doctrines are added where cultural forms (bowing, translating
sanskrit into local languages)
● Buddhism is finding its roots in distinct roots of culture
● The different traditions are created
◆Modernist
●De-territorialization: removing Buddhism from specific traditional Asian
cultural origins and practices
● Reducing Buddhism to the essential core doctrines (ancient texts) and
practices (meditation)
● De-emphasizes ritual and metaphysical aspects
● Engages and employs science (psychology) as an ally in the quest for
enlightenment, compassion, and humanistic goals
○ Scientists can prove meditation of Tibetan Buddhism works
○ Legitimizes the tradition in the modern world
◆Global
● New Movement group of Buddhism
○ Hybrid forms of Buddhism
➔Preferences for types of Buddhism by non-Asian Americans
◆Meditation forms
● Focus on singular, independent attempt to reach personal enlightenment
◆scripture/texts as authoritative
● As opposed to Asian immigrant practices that emphasize ritual action and
community over texts
◆Search for the essence of Buddhism
● Through sacred texts as opposed to rituals
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Buddhism in america: sum of all the different types/traditions/processes in the united states. American buddhism: distinct form of buddhism consonant with the culture and values of the us. Engaged buddhism: buddhists who are engaged in environmentalism, racial and social justice, political protests. They have taken modern form of buddhism and have employed scientific legitimation into environmental processes. Non-denominational buddhism: practices of each sect can be blended. Martin baumann (four stages of buddhist development) Buddha is alive and original texts are being written. Additional doctrines are added where cultural forms (bowing, translating sanskrit into local languages) Buddhism is finding its roots in distinct roots of culture. De-territorialization: removing buddhism from specific traditional asian cultural origins and practices. Reducing buddhism to the essential core doctrines (ancient texts) and practices (meditation) Engages and employs science (psychology) as an ally in the quest for enlightenment, compassion, and humanistic goals. Scientists can prove meditation of tibetan buddhism works. Legitimizes the tradition in the modern world.
