Buddhism in the West… the discussion continues

In a discussion of a well-written and insightful article in Elephant Journal, entitled “Buddhism in the West: Interview with an American Meditation Master, the opinions have run the gamut. And as someone who holds Professor Reginald A. Ray in the highest of regard, and who considers his Dharma Ocean Foundation  to be among the finest examples of authentic postmodern, Western Buddhism, I still found myself torn.

There was, of course, the well-known, hostile and hateful curmudgeon from the Karma Kagyu sect, who seldom has anything nice to say about any teacher who is doing well, and who dares think outside the narrow, infighting, constricted and culturally irrelevant box in which he lives, and he did not disappoint in bringing his usual divisive and dismissive rhetoric to the discussion. He has become something of a laughing stock among most serious Buddhists, and his continued rants against Elephant Journal, the Contemplative Order of Compassion, Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo, and countless others seem to arise from his inner hostilities, anger over his serious health issues, and possibly a general lack of getting laid. So I won’t waste any time or bandwidth discussing his hatemongering and disrespect for others here (or anywhere else).

There were in the various discussion threads, those who felt that despite the validity of Professor Ray’s approach to Dharma in the West, and with all respect for Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, there was a need to honour their lineage, their tradition and set themselves apart as teachers and monastics, not out of ego or a desire to be someone they are not; but rather out of responding to the needs and expectations of the students entrusted to their care.

I understand their perspective. Receiving my Dharma name from my Teachers is something precious to my heart, and I am grateful for it. And I recognise that many students expect to see monastics and contemplative teachers in traditional attire. But like those who see and agree with Professor Ray’s perspective, I recognise a genuine need in this culture to develop something more relevant, authentic and real than taking Westerners, giving them Eastern names and dressing them in primitive Eastern attire.

For me, the answer isn’t simple, but it’s obvious. If we are going to take our lead from Sakyamuni’s example, then we must find the Middle Way. Now I don’t believe I am entitled to proclaim for the Sangha what that means… I believe it must be discovered as a community. But I know there is no room for the hatemongers, divisive bastards and drama queens in that discussion. And I know it must be something organic, evolving and fluid, if it is to be authentic.

I am, therefore, committed to becoming part of the Emergent Dialogue.

We are Love. Liberation is literally in the palm of our hands!

Namasté

khenpo gurudas sunyatananda

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Drawing on the essential teachings of the great spiritual teachers, philosophers and freethinkers throughout time, Khenpo Gurudas Śunyatananda (retired Archbishop Francis-Maria Salvato, O.C.) has been regarded as a provocative, revolutionary “voice of reason” within the field of religion and spirituality, since 1983. Having the distinction of being one of the few openly non-theistic, openly-gay and post-denominational thinkers ever to serve as Bishop-Exarch and spiritual leader of the autocephalic Eastern Catholic Franciscans in North America, Gurudas is the author of more than 600 articles, eight books and currently serves as the spiritual advisor for a non-theistic, intentional spiritual community, The Spiritus Project. He can be reached at:http://dharmadudeunplugged.com

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