Expert: Alex Wilding - 10/13/2011

Question
1.What caused the emergence of the different forms of Buddhism, and how do they differ?
2.Is it difficult to apply Buddhist teachings to modern life, considering all ways people are now able to form attachments to one another through technology?
3.How does Buddhism influence your opinion on world events? For instance, do you feel less impacted by them, or do you still feel affected by them?

Answer
Hi Meredith,

Big questions!

1) Buddhism has a long history, and has flourished in some very different cultures. In all those areas where it has flourished it has adapted in some way to local conditions and adopted some practices. I'm sure that sometimes this has made the teachings richer, in others it has not been entirely beneficial. We could argue all day, however, about which are which! So I guess long centuries of practice in the context of different cultures is the shortest answer I can offer.

2) Technology changes the details of how we live and relate to each other, of course. Hugely. But does human nature change very much? I doubt it. On the surface our problems are unique to our age, but at root I suspect the causes are the same, and that is what Buddhism tries to deal with.

3) Yes. OK, I'm joking, but the answer really is yes and no. As a Buddhist I am not surprised to see that greed, hatred and wilful stupidity are in the driving seat of world affairs. But then again, as Buddhists we are encouraged to react with compassion to all the suffering we see. It is sad to see the way things are done, because we *could* be wiser and kinder, and we should do whatever we can to bring that on. But, as the cliché has it: don't hold your breath!

Any help at all?
Best wishes
Alex W