AboutAlex 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.
Question What has been the Buddhist approach in the last 150 years towards the actual experience of reality in terms of what people knew at the time?
I am aware 14th Dalai Lama goes as far as to say if Buddhist answer is contradicted by scientific answer, then Buddhists should accept the scientific answer over Buddhist answer.
What has been the importance and canonicity of various scriptures in the last 150 years? (relative to scriptures of Abrahamic religions)
Answer Dear Pja,
> What has been the Buddhist approach in
> the last 150 years towards the actual
> experience of reality in terms of what
> people knew at the time?
I'm sorry, I'm not sure what you are asking. Experience is experience, what we know is what we know.
> I am aware 14th Dalai Lama goes as far
> as to say if Buddhist answer is contradicted
> by scientific answer, then Buddhists should
> accept the scientific answer over Buddhist answer.
Yes, sure, but it is very rare that the two are talking about the same kinds of thing. If things in the Buddhist scriptures say the world is flat (which some do), then we know that this is not strictly correct. But it is not important.
> What has been the importance and canonicity
> of various scriptures in the last 150 years?
> (relative to scriptures of Abrahamic religions)
The "canonical" texts have been defined for many centuries. That has not changed. But Buddhists do not view the canon as the ultimate arbiter of things, the "word of god", or anything of that sort.
I hope that helps a bit, but, as I say, I'm not really sure what you are trying to find out.
