In 2008, the Pew’s U.S. Religious Landscape Survey published that Buddhism had climbed to the 3rd most practiced religion in America. It estimated that there are over 2 million Buddhists in America. Other surveys place the number closer to 3 million practitioners. While that is still only 1% of the nation’s population, it is a marked growth from the 200,000 Buddhists (mostly Asian) recorded by the Census Bureau in 1960.
To speculate the specific “why” American Buddhism has seen explosive growth would be impossible. No one factor or set of aggregate factors can explain philosophical movements. However, it would be a safe assumption that a portion of the answer lies within our rapidly globalizing economy, global communications ability through the Internet, a holistic social awareness of the ecology, and a general sense of “unsatisfactorness” about the world in general.
Buddhism can be treated as a religion, a philosophy, a meditation practice, or just a lifestyle choice. There are many “night-stand” Buddhist who read casually about Buddhism and find inspiration. Others sell off all of their belongings and ordain into the monastic life. No one should ever feel that Buddhism is like Christianity, where there is a specific doctrine, dogma and rigid set of rules that must be complied with.
Buddhism has an understanding of the world today. It is a faith that, for Europeans and Americans, was before its time. As science understands of the human mind and the world around us increases, the 25-century-old wisdom of the Buddha had proven to be forward thinking: happiness comes from a healthy outlook and cannot be found through external pleasures. This simple concept is embodied in the Four Noble Truths and its solution is found in the Eightfold Path, which are guidelines that are dynamic in their application.
Other major religions, by contrast, are less dynamic. In order to be a member of almost any religion there is an acceptance that a higher deity created the world in a specific way, with a specific mission, and requires specific adherences. Almost all of these paradigms, goals and ethics were established centuries earlier and are unable to adapt to the progressively changing world.
Look at the news and we can see Christians try to reconcile evolution with creationism. Muslims are challenged with the shift to modernity and global inclusion while still trying to maintain strict codes of conduct and mindset set down over a millennia ago.
I do not comment on the validity of any faith, only that of Buddhism. It is not required that someone practicing Buddhism or following its teachings invalidate any other faith. What is important is that those who understand the dhamma develop themselves to become more ethical and happy poeple.
If someone is fortunate enough to attain ultimate enlightenment, perhaps they will understand the answers to the ultimate questions of the universe and know which god is right. Until that time, Buddhism focuses on the here and the now.
As with all groups of people, there are different traditions, or sects, within Buddhism. They were created as Buddhism integrated with different cultures and adopted different “flavors” of the basic Buddhist teaching. No one path is correct or proper. In the end, the journey is a personal one that can be supported by the community (sangha) but ultimately the responsibility of the individual.
So why study Buddhism? Especially if you don’t really want to be a hardcore Buddhist monk who meditates all day and lives a life of poverty?
As I stated earlier, the benefits of Buddhism are as practical as they are spiritual. Police departments across the nation are using Buddhist meditation technique to reduce stress. Self-help gurus, such a Dr. Deepok Chopra, use Buddhist philosophy to teach individuals how to approach life in a healthy and productive way. Buddhism is so much more than an ancient path to spiritual enlightenment– it is the oldest and most effective methodology for mental well being.
Adopt a little Buddhism in your day. It is OK if you are Christian. In Dinty Moore’s book “The Accidental Tourist” he found entire communities of Christians who use Buddhist practices, and various Jesuit priests who are Dhamma teachers. What is important that you try a taste of Buddhism and see how it positively effects your life. If nothing else, you will feel more restful and peaceful.
Unlike Scientology, no one wants to recruit you or ask for money. Unlike TV evangelists, no one will tell you that you must think a certain way (and ask for money). Unlike Islam, no one will tell you that you must believe that non-Buddhists thoughts are sinful (and ask for money). It is like taking yoga for the mind: you can even buy a DVD and just do it at home.
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