131-Buddhism in Asia and Europe - Buddhism in daily life

Buddhism in Asia and Europe

Growing up with a worldview (or religion), experiencing it constantly in one's environment, that is something completely different than 'accepting' it, this of course also applies to Buddhism.

Whether one was born into a worldview, or consciously converted as an adult (or at least adolescent), that has a completely different dynamic, different energies.

Often both groups are suspicious of each other, one is too lax for the other, or too pedantic, or, or.

Even the origin of the Buddhist teachings, for example Chinese, Vietnamese, Laotian, Japanese, Thai, Korean, or even teachers who have already come from the West, show little understanding among each other. The respective national tradition regulates the Buddhist style of the groups, each one chants in his language, prays his words, dresses according to his customs, worships the 'saints' of his country.

Those who know a worldview from a young age like to arrange aspects of life according to the rules of their community, celebrate the same holidays as their ancestors, find pleasure in the traditional events, think in terms of 'their' rites that govern the social order of their environment.

In Asia, each house has its own small altar, even in front of the house a mini-pagoda, although Buddha warned his followers not to worship him, the 'believers' are more comfortable when the great teacher is 'tangible'. Also, the local temple is active in caring for the elderly and the sick, as it was in Germany before commercialization took hold, the community members meet, the property is cared for communally, donations are made, the poor are remembered communally, the entire life is and remains intertwined with the 'religion'.

Those who now think that people who have converted to Buddhism are 'second-class' Buddhists have not been able to properly implement the teachings of the great teacher. No matter if you grew up in Buddhism or if you are a 'feel-good Buddhist', all views are welcome, nobody has the right to force his opinion on others.

Buddhism is characterized by the personal search for 'awakening', which in the best case can be done in complete seclusion, but can also get its expression through living in a Buddhist community. Westerners are usually attracted by the freedom from violence, the absence of superstition, falsehood and hypocrisy, the noble image of the great teacher peacefully 'meditating', who also predicts a completely different destiny with reincarnation than the monotheistic teachings do.

The absence of history and the non-existent intermingling of all aspects of life makes it so difficult for Buddhism to gain a proper foothold in Europe. Although many people are attracted to the image of the great teacher, there seems to be little orientation in the variety of teachings.

What do you think about this?

The path is the goal!

Never serve this world!

- Buddha - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama - 560 to 480 before the year zero

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