You are here:
- Home
- Homework Help
- Buddhism
- Buddhists
- I-Search Help
Buddhists/I-Search Help
Advertisement
Question
hell o my name is Emily Lau and i am a student who attends Martin Luther
King jr. middle school in Berkeley CA in the U.S.A. I am doing a report on
Buddhism and it would be great if you could answer some questions for me.
1. How has Buddhism changed from around 500 B.C in Asis to modern day
U.S.A and Asia? Has it even changed?
2. What do Americans see in Buddhism? why are many interested in it?
3. How can/did Buddhism influence the U.S?
thank you for your time - Emily Lau
Dear Emily,
Your questions really need pages and pages of answer, so I can only put a few words to each.
1) It has developed many, many new varieties and flavours. Hopefully they all still carry the key messages, but the surface varies enormously.
2) I have never been to America. I would guess the fact that it offers a spiritual path without having to believe in an unpleasant god who bosses everyone around may have something to do with it.
3) Perhaps it can help to convey the message that kindness, gentleness and compassion are more important than either excessive consumption or belief in any particular system.
I don't know if that helps at all!
All the best
AW
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
Alex Wilding
Expertise
I have practiced and studied Tibetan Buddhism in the Kagyu and Nyingma traditions since the early 1970s, and have a good knowledge of theory, history and of the struggles of trying to practice the teachings, including meditation, while leading a normal, modern life. I am also available to provide background information for journalists.
Experience
I have been a practitioner since the early 1970s; have run a small Buddhist centre in the English Midlands and was vice-president of Kagyu Benchen Ling e.V. in Germany, for whom I managed three large Buddhist summer-camps. More importantly, I maintain a habit of personal practice.
I am the "owner" of the Kagyu list at Yahoo.
Education/Credentials
My first degree was an M.A. from Oxford. I later obtained a Master of Philosophy degree for a research thesis in "Initiation in Tibetan Buddhism" from Leicester University. I also have engineering and educational qualifications.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.