Religion in the West

• Buddhism in the West


  Buddhism has become popular in the West but it has only really been established for the last hundred years.

  Early knowledge of Buddhism became apparent when Britain was expanding its colonial empire to countries like India, Sri Lanka and Burma.
• Perceptions of Buddhism in the West


  Buddhism was often marked by its emphasis on rationality, ethics and philosophy.

  • Was seen as an alternative to the confines of Western religious/xian dogmatics.
  • One issue was that Buddhism was initially exported by white European intellectuals rather than Asian representatives.
  • It was initially presented as being rooted in scripture and philosophy rather than practice, which ignored the importance of Buddhism as an experiential tradition.
• Perceptions of Buddhism in the West:

  • As it was initially presented an an 'intellectual' religion, it sparked a reaction from the defenders of Christianity, some of whom opposed the teaching of Buddhism and argued the superiority of Xianity
  • This interpretation also mirrored the ideals of the middle class, like reason, individuality and humanism.
• Early Buddhist Scholars


  T.W. Rhys Davids

  • Came across Buddhism when working in Ceylon, then translated scripts into English.
  • Formed the Pali Text Society in 1881
  • The Pali-Canon became the authoritative teachings of the Buddha
  • Buddhism was presented as an ethical psychology and was considered the psychology of the mind.
• Early Buddhist Scholars


  Sir Edwin Arnold:

  • 'The Light of Asia' published in 1879, popularised knowledge of the life of the Buddha.
  • The Buddha was portrayed as a compassionate heroic figure in the poem and he uses 'exotic' imagery which presents something intriguing and different.
  • Buddhism offered a different perception of reality and a variety to the study of religion at a time when Xianity was being questioned.
  • Buddhism became popular because it was not seen as superstitious like Hinduism (with its many gods)
• Brits become Buddhist

  Alan Bennett (1872-1923)

  • 1902 when the first known British man was ordained as a Buddhist monk in Burma.
  • He attempted to spread Buddhist virtues in England but was met with little success.
  • There was no established Sangha in Britain, so following the Vinaya rules became difficult.
  • He was part of the Pali society
  • Eventually he had to give up the monastic life and died of ill health having left behind 2 books on Buddhism.
• The Buddhist Society est. 1924


  Christmas Humphreys (1901-1983)

  • He set up the Buddhist Society which is the longest standing Buddhist society outside of Asia. Initially, the Buddhist society was Theravada, but in the 1950s different types of Buddhism became more popular.
  • He was a barrister by career and spent 50 years in this profession as well as writing publications on Buddhism.
• Synoptic Link

  1960s and 70s - Situation Ethics

  • People were rebelling from legalistic views.
  • Travel became more accessible.
  • People saw Buddhism as setting peace and Abrahamic religious as setting war. Due to the Vietnam war, people were rebelling against warfare.
  • Christianity is also not a Western religion in its origin but again has been subject to various
  • translations/adaptations
  • Christianity also commodified in popular culture/images/tattoos
• Synoptic Link


  Situation Ethics and The Tiratna

  • Both started in the 60’s and recognised society's changing
  • Both recognise the need for an updated adaptation of religion for Modern Society
  • Both emphasise the ‘essence’ of teachings for example from the Buddha and Jesus and try to adapt to
  • practical everyday life rather than dogmatic
  • Both offer a more liberal approach to the religion.
  • Both however could be criticised for being to ‘watered down’
  • Tiratna has run into problems and scandals possibly due to its liberal approach to Buddhism
  • Are both a product of the 60’s/70’s and now outdated?
• Being a Buddhist in Britain


  In a lay in the modern day it isn't particularly difficult

  • There are viharas and communities
  • Therevad is the most popular
  • Difference between heritage Buddhists and Converts
  • 39% Converts and 60% heritage (showing that it appeals to the middle class.)
  • There has to be adaptations in the west, like monastics will need extra clothing to help with the climate.
  • Many of the vinaya rules are outdated generally so will be adapted to suit the modern life.
• Interpreting Buddhism in the West


  Westerners tends to be very keen on 'demythologising' Buddhism.

  • Things like rebirth and the realms of rebirth. Rebirth can be understood as momentary and life change rather than life to life. The Gods and spitis of Mahayana Buddhism can be seen as a skill in means.
• Tiratna Buddhism


  Formerly FWBO

  • Started by Sangharashita, who became a member of the Buddhist society and then, in the war, spent time in Sri Lanka. He became ordained as a Theravada Monk, however on his return to the west he decided to formulate a Buddhism that was an eclectic mix of all the Buddhist schools.
  • He took the essence of Buddhism and adapted it to modern wester world
  • 1968- ordained first 12 members of the FWBO.
• Principles of the Tiratna


  Adhere to:

  • Four Noble Truths
  • Three Refuges
  • 5 Primary precepts (but with an emphasis on generosity, compassion, giving and loving-kindness)

  Lifestyle choices and sexuality are individual preference

  Optional vow of celibacy
• Principles of the Tiratna

  Sangharakshita emphasised the 'essence of Buddhism' and by this, he meant that they should focus on wisdom, meditation and morality.

  • Not much emphasis on suffering
  • Meditation is focused on the four Brahma viharas (Metta) loving-kindness.
  • Devotion to the celestial Buddhas and Bodhisattvas is practised as an appreciation of art/beauty.
• Ordination in the Tiratna


  Once ordinated, they do not become a monk or nun, but have the title 'Dharmachari',

  • They do not wear robes or shave heads
  • The committed laity are referred to as Mitras which means friends
  • Ordained members are encouraged to live in single-sex households
• Critical analysis


  Has 'secularised' Buddhism and diluted its essence

  Buddhism is a religion at its core and traditional models, with a monastic order, do and can work in the West.

  The essence of Buddhism is renunciation.

  The FWBO and Sanghashita were hit by scandals concerning finance and sexual abuse.
• How is Buddhism portrayed in modern culture


  It is:

  • Often perceived as mystical and wise
  • Buddhist tattoos are on the rise, is this appropriate?
  • Does film and popular culture give an accurate representation?
• The rise to fame of the 14th Dalai Lama


  Why has he become so famous?

  • He is seen to represent Buddhism as a whole which is a misinterpretation.
  • The Western view distorts the reality of religious and mystical elements of Buddhism that Westerners choose to ignore.
  • To Tibetan Buddhists, he is a traditionalist, but to the West, he is a celebrity
  • Can these two elements be reconciled?