In an interesting
development, it appears that Buddhists globally are becoming increasingly
proactive in both protecting and spreading their ancient ideology. Numbering up
to 500 million adherents worldwide - the fourth largest religious denomination
in the world - there are two major paths of Buddhism,
Theravada and Mahayana, and many sects, including the familiar Zen and Tibetan
versions. All of these sects have one thing in common, which is that they
emphasize the attainment of an enlightened or liberated state of mind, a
quality defined differently from path to path. Depending on the sect, Buddhism
traces its traditions to more than 2,500 years ago, with some followers
asserting it to be at least 15,000 years, having been established long before
the alleged time of "the Buddha," also called Siddhartha Gautama and
Sakyamuni. Over the millennia, Buddhism has developed a complex and colorful
system some describe as "mind boggling." While traditional Buddhism
is not devoid of flaws - including sexism - and like
other mass movements includes a bloody past in some areas, one thing is clear:
Of the major religions, Buddhism has one of the best records of being truly
peaceful and less marred by violence.
Is
Buddhism atheistic?
Because of Buddhism's
emphasis on resolving dilemmas through the enlightenment of the individual
human being, rather than putting one's faith in a god or superhuman savior,
Buddhism has been widely depicted as "atheistic" and the Buddha as an
"atheist." Indeed, in presenting a "historical" Buddha, certain
sects have largely stripped Buddhism of its miraculous, magical and
supernatural qualities, as found abundantly within Tibetan Buddhism, for
example. Traditional Buddhism, while not monolithic, does in fact depict a
tremendous amount of magic and mystery, as well as many sacred and divine
aspects in its teachings that each human being in essence can achieve
Buddhahood. The attainment of Buddhahood is generally perceived to bring with
it many divine and godlike qualities, and sundry tales surrounding the Buddha -
and various of the other numerous Buddhas - are certainly as supernatural as
any we may find within patently mythical religions such as those of ancient
Greece, Rome and Egypt. What this assertion boils down to is that there is
plenty of divinity, sacredness and godhood within Buddhism. Hence, Buddhism overall cannot be deemed
"atheistic," although Zen comes very close to this
perception. In actuality, there is something for everyone within Buddhism.
Buddhism
on the rise globall
From various news items and
developments, it seems as if Buddhism may be making inroads into culture
worldwide - a welcome development in comparison to the rising fanaticism of
other religious or spiritual systems that incorporate far too much bigotry,
hatred and violence. In the United States, for example, as opposed to other
noisy faiths like Christianity, Islam and Judaism, Buddhism has been so quiet
that few realize there are more Buddhists than
Muslims or Hindus in America. With as many as 6 million American
adherents, Buddhism constitutes the fourth largest religious group in the
United States. As part of this subtle movement, which includes hundreds of
temples, monasteries, schools and communities, Nepalese Buddhists have recently
opened their first temple in Portland, Oregon. Concerning Buddhism
in America, the Christian Science Monitor
remarks:
"Buddhism is growing
apace in the United States, and an identifiably American Buddhism is emerging.
Teaching centers and sanghas (communities of people who practice together) are
spreading here as American-born leaders reframe ancient principles in
contemporary Western terms."
Elsewhere in the world as well,
we find Buddhism making its move, such as in India, where the religion finds
its traditional birthplace but from where it was driven centuries ago by both
Hindus and Muslims. Having once become almost extinct in India, today Buddhism
is returning slowly but surely, with the Indian residence for the past several
decades of the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, along with the rather
vocal demand recently by Buddhists to control the Indian
site of Bodh Gaya, traditional spot where Buddha is said to have
attained nirvana. In addition, in February 2010, sacred relics from all over
the Buddhist world will be taken to Chennai, India, as part of the global
Buddhist outreach program the Maitreya Project Heart Shrine Relic Tour.
Meanwhile, back in the
United States, there is increasing interest in Buddhists running for public
office, representing a significant demographic segment. Such a
change may be seen by many as positive and progressive movement into the
future.
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