Buddhism v. Meditation

mickmacdublin

I see from their news letter that the Dublin branch of the FWBO is changing it's name from the Dublin Meditation Centre to the Dublin Buddhist Centre.

This I see as another sign that Buddhists more and more willing to stand up and be counted rather than apologising for their faith and trying to hide behind the term "meditation" so that the general public will not be put off.

Personally I never liked the approach of those groups which do not say up front that they are Buddhist - I think it's unfair to the people who do go along. Also I think that the general public is much more informed on Buddhist beliefs and more interested in it than in a glorified relaxation techinque which is all that shamatha meditation is when removed from it's Buddhist context.

Anyone else got a view on this?

Mick

Yoda

I've never known a Buddhist to be all that apologetic. I can say that all my years in Ireland it gives me some pleasure to tell people that I am a Buddhist. Politically, it keeps me from being associated with any of the cultural sectarianism one finds here. I find that people usually does an "oh, wow, cool" when I say I'm a Buddhist. Sometimes it leads on to an interesting conversation; sometimes it's probably a nice way of saying "yeah whatever" though....

When I was introduced to meditation in Arizona (long ago) it was not in a Buddhist context. My teacher was eclectic; there was some emphasis on some important Theosophical texts, notably Light on the Path and Through the Gates of Gold by Mabel Collins, which I still find useful and inspiring.

I am not sure what the general public knows about Buddhist "beliefs" though.

mickmacdublin

I was principally referring to Buddhist organisations that advertise meditation classes without saying that they are in fact Buddhist for fear it will put people off. I don't think this is necessary and don't think actually it ever was necessary.

As regards individuals I do know some people who like to keep their beliefs private and that's fine - it's up to them. They no doubt have personal or family reasons. I for instance do not broadcast the fact to work colleagues.

However people do seem to be alot more up on Buddhism that even 5-10 yrs ago. I think this primarily due to the prominence of the Dalai Lama and a spate of films like Little Buddha, Kundun etc from a few years ago - it is also covered now in the religious studies curricula at inter and leaving cert.

Mick

Yoda

I can't imagine a Buddhist organizations advertising meditation classes without saying that they are in fact Buddhist, but if you've encountered it I can see your point. I mean, it's not really right speech to "trick" people into finding about Buddhism, is it.

mickmacdublin

I don't think it is necessarily a conscious "tricking" of people just a misinformed fear that people will not wish to learn meditation if it is sold as part of a religion. Personally I don't think one can get any real benefit from meditation unless one also takes on the moral teachings so trying to sell meditation on its own is a bit of a waste of time.

Also, when people do discover that the organisation has religious affiliations that were not previously mentioned I think the reaction would most likely but negative. Best to put all the cards on the table and let people take it or leave it in my opinion.

Also I think, as people seemed to be more clued in than they used to be, they are not really interested in meditation on its own - if they ever were.

Mick