Challenges Facing Asian Buddhism in the Modern World

[christopher:::]

There are a number of things that can be said about Jack Kornfield both good and bad, but Joseph Goldstein is a highly experienced teacher of considerable depth and skill.

Related topic: Joseph Goldstein: One Dharma

[mikenz66]

There are a number of things that can be said about Jack Kornfield both good and bad, but Joseph Goldstein is a highly experienced teacher of considerable depth and skill.

I agree. Josesph Goldstein (along with Steve Armstrong, Patrick Kearney, and presumably others who I don't know about) are examples of lay teachers and are definitely not Dhamma Lite.

Metta
Mike

[nathan]

Some of the earliest known extent writing, in Sumerian cuneiform if I recall correctly, bemoans the corruption of the youth. Also, interestingly, omits to bemoan by whom the youth are corrupted if I recall correctly.

[phil]

Something like the Barrie Center (?) in the States that has promotoed Theravada in an admittedly watered-down version over the last 20 years through its lay teachers such as Joseph Goldstein etc.

Watered-down in the same way that babies are fed watered-down food (jars of baby food), that are no less beneficial than solid food. Jack and Joseph are bringing the Dharma to people in a way that they can absorb it. Many will move on to solid food.

There are a number of things that can be said about Jack Kornfield both good and bad, but Joseph Goldstein is a highly experienced teacher of considerable depth and skill.

Hi titbillings.

I was thinking this after I posted. I mentioned Goldstein, as it happens, because I couldn't remember Jack Kornfield's name. Goldstein is very good, and let's just say Kornfield is good and leave it there.

Metta,

Phil

[rowyourboat]

I have heard that in sri lanka there has been a bit of an explosion of sorts of dhamma- many meditation centres opening and young people going on retreat - this is all after the Burmese ambasador introduced the Mahasi sayadaw method of vipassana to sri lanka inthe 1950s. -at the same time westernisation is taking place rapidly- i think sustainable forms of buddhism must arise inthe west- some of these might inspire westernised populations of the east, while traditional methods gain in strength as well. Goenka has been a boon to the world because he managed to reach populations which had no idea of buddhism -and is reaching the non-traditional buddhist (in the east) pracitioner. because of the internet i think buddhism has become truly international and communication is possible- good things will come out of it- it is less suseptible to extinction because of this. we can never hope that buddhism can become so widespread as other religions- it is going against the stream- not easy -the buddha almost didnt teach it to the world because it was so profound and difficult- but he did- because there will always be a hnadful that will take to it like ducks to water.. if buddhism is promoted by a government then great explosions of dhamma can happen...

[pink_trike]

.. if buddhism is promoted by a government then great explosions of dhamma can happen...

Slippery slope, with unpredictable results.

[Cittasanto]

.. if buddhism is promoted by a government then great explosions of dhamma can happen...

Slippery slope, with unpredictable results.

Yes I think the queen of Thailand said it best

[rowyourboat]

.. if buddhism is promoted by a government then great explosions of dhamma can happen...

Slippery slope, with unpredictable results.

Yes I think the queen of Thailand said it best

really what did she say?

I know that buddhism might not have survived today if it had not been for King Ashokha in ancient India who sent emissaries to various countries bearing the dhamma- the tipitaka survived in sri lanka and was sent to the rest of the world because of this.