This post may be more suitable for 'modernist Americans' than
traditional Buddhists we more often see in Singapore.
Songhill:
Excuse the pun on the word lie (e.g., the lie of the ball). The
title is really about situation of modern Buddhism: where is it
relative to modernity.
Okay, let's start with, "What is modernity (i.e., state of being
modern)?"
The above sums it up nicely (I have Stephen Batchelor's book in
mind, Buddhism Without Beliefs). Personally, I see the lie
of modern Buddhism as an ancient Indian religion that has been
remade into a new psychology to fill the needs of moderns. What has
been removed from Buddhism (e.g, karma and rebirth) we deem to be
alien and foreign to the needs of modernity. Moreover, what has
been removed, certainly doesn't ring of progress nor does it sit
well with materialism both of which are vital elements of
modernity.
Reading both the Pali Nikayas and the Mahayana Sutras I am always
astonished by how much Buddhism is left out of modern Buddhism.
Archaya Mahayogi Shridhar Rinpoche:
Excuse the pun on the word lie (e.g., the lie of the ball). The
title is really about situation of modern Buddhism: where is it
relative to modernity.
Okay, let's start with, "What is modernity (i.e., state of being
modern)?"
The above sums it up nicely (I have Stephen Batchelor's book in
mind, Buddhism Without Beliefs). Personally, I see the lie
of modern Buddhism as an ancient Indian religion that has been
remade into a new psychology to fill the needs of moderns. What has
been removed from Buddhism (e.g, karma and rebirth) we deem to be
alien and foreign to the needs of modernity. Moreover, what has
been removed, certainly doesn't ring of progress nor does it sit
well with materialism both of which are vital elements of
modernity.
Reading both the Pali Nikayas and the Mahayana Sutras I am always
astonished by how much Buddhism is left out of modern Buddhism.