"Ang Moh" Buddhists

Beyond Religion SG

Is it me, or do my fellow Buddhists in Singapore find Western Buddhists especially respectable?

They were brought up in a society whose values are significantly different than ours, and comes under the influence of the monotheistic religious mindsets at a very young age. Yet they are able to discern the wisdom and beauty of Buddhism, and to make extraordinary effort to be good Buddhists.

Conversely, most of us Asian knows nothing much about Buddhism other than to burn a few joss sticks in temples. Other Asians (especially converts to a religion whose name I shall not mention) don't even want to step into Temples, let alone making an effort to study Buddhism.

concerned_man SG

Yes, and some Ang Mo can speak near perfect Mandarin and have a deep understanding about Mahayana Buddhism. As mentioned by MCK in one of his VCD series, I was even more surprised that the AngMo American lady was researchin "Hua Yen".

I am so ashamed of myself.

An Eternal Now SG

Yes Western Buddhists are respectable. Local buddhists are also respectable. But it is true that there are more people with higher capacities for attainments in the West now - an observation from my Taiwanese teacher who goes to different countries to give important dharma transmissions.

In fact even in Singapore, there are a lot of people converting to Buddhism after learning the truths. My master (ex-pastor) and my dharma teacher are. Many people in my dharma centre were also converts - from monotheistic religions.

I do not even consider 'joss stick buddhists' as buddhists. Buddhists are people who have taken refuge in three treasures - only then can they be considered as buddhists.

neutral_onliner SG

One of the most popular western interpretations of Buddhism is that it is a rational philosophy, and materialistic developments in the West have created a climate of science and secular liberation which is favourable to Buddhism.

Few Buddhist doctrines are in direct conflict with science. Recent discoveries in quantum physics suggest that science is slowly coming round to a view of reality not unlike that described in Buddhist philosophy.

The problem in the East is that buddhism is so laden with rituals and tied in to cultures by folk traditions that the dharma is often obscured. The west are finding a real movement toward a strong lay practice that is based on the simplicity of the dharma without much of the cultural baggage carried by eastern traditions

the problem with the 'joss stick buddhists' is tat they thought they r buddhists but in actual fact they r not.Actually the so-called buddhists convert to another religion are just folk practitioners (pray this pray that...dono wat r they praying also ) Cool

DriftingGuy SG

Yeah.. I kinda prefer the western intepretation of buddhism rather than the joss-stick perception...

Actually, quite a few mixed taoism with buddhism as well. Some pray to Buddha but also to Guan Gong as well as other idols of worship.

neutral_onliner SG

dear frens we need to understand tat singapore is a immigration country.Our ancestors are from very poor provinces in china.They r not well educated.Buddhism is just too pround for them.(do u expect farmers to understand such Profound philosophy ? ) Thus wat they brought to singapore is NOT buddhism but folk practises.Most of the elites remain in the cities of china. Cool

An Eternal Now SG

Exactly.

An Eternal Now SG

Those who practise deity worship and folks traditions are more towards Taoism - even though they may worship Buddha and Guan Yin. This is because Chinese Folks practitioners can worship any being they think are divine.

There is still a lot of ignorance of Buddhism. By worshipping Buddha, they did not mix Taoism with Buddhism, it is not even Buddhism at all. Buddhists don't even worship the Buddha and Buddha is not a god. Similarly if they pray to Jesus, they are by no means a Christian.

There is actually no difference between Western interpretation of Buddhism and the Eastern interpretation of Buddhism - it is either Buddhism, or Not buddhism. A Buddhist can only be considered a Buddhist after taking refuge in the Three Treasures, Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.

neutral_onliner SG

well one veri good example is tis casino_king.So far his points of argument r totally irreverent to buddhism(infact got nothing to do wf buddhism)
i should say he has such view becos of his "joss-stick buddhist" knowledge Cool