Proposition: 'Buddhism must move with the times!'
Everything is imperfect and perishable, everything dies and comes back to life, and we must learn to live with that in order to become happy and wise, says Buddhism. But shouldn't that also apply to Buddhism itself? Why should the rules of Buddhism be the only thing that is perfect and imperishable?
I myself am not a believer in any religion (meaning 'that which binds us together') but I am interested in the worlds of ideas behind it and their history. This is especially true for Buddhism, which fortunately has a universal slant, so that no one can accuse me of wrongly interfering with something Eastern or Thai from a Western mindset.
Religions are important for how a society functions, it goes without saying. But that societies change is also true and I think religions should take that into account.
The founders of those movements thought so too. The Buddha did away with the Hindu caste system, Jesus thought that adulterous women should not be stoned and Mohammed gave women the right to an inheritance, well half that for men….
The Buddha said in one of his sermons, the Kalama Sutta, that we should rely on our own judgment of what is good and bad and should not listen only to elders and monks (so not only to him….): www.thailandblog.nl/boeddhisme/kalama-sutta-boeddhistische-roep/
It is often thought that Buddhism preaches detachment and resignation. Maybe. But two examples show that the reverse is often the case.
The Buddha once walked into a temple and was confronted by two sick monks in their kuti (monks' quarters) who had been totally neglected. He called the temple community together and lectured them.
The Buddha also once compared humans to fish and the water they swam in to society. If the water is polluted, the fish cannot thrive and we must therefore also ensure a just society.
There have been Buddhist monks who have advocated certain, sometimes radical, changes, such as Phra Phimonlatham and Buddhadasa.
www.thailandblog.nl/background/phra-phimonlatham-ondependent-democratic-and-rebellious-monk/
www.thailandblog.nl/boeddhisme/buddhadasa-bhikkhu-a-great-Buddhist-philosopher/
What needs to change in Buddhism?
I am listing some, in my view, negative aspects of Buddhism in general, and some of Buddhism today, that need serious thought and change.
- Worshiping hierarchy. An unwillingness to challenge or challenge the status quo.
- An embrace of oppressive, dictatorial regimes and strong nationalism.
- Believe in miracles, sacred objects, blessings and prophecies.
- Little interest in applying the Dharma, the Teaching, to social (dis)situations.
- A negative image of women who are seen as inferior and dangerous.
- Too much emphasis on scriptures, teachers, Dalai Lamas, Zen masters and the like and too little independent thinking.
- Worship of the person of the Buddha instead of his Teaching, the Dharma (as the Buddha himself thought).
- Monks withdraw too much from social life, they are too distant.
- An overemphasis on karma (the sum total of good and bad deeds in this and past lives) as the sole determining factor in our lives that judges individuals, groups and nations.
I often find that last point shocking because of my own experience. We once visited a well-known temple in the north. My stepdaughter is quite handicapped by a hereditary blood disorder, thalassemia. My wife at the time asked a monk 'Why is she sick?' Without a trace of empathy, the monk said, "It must be because of her bad deeds in a past life."
Let's not talk about Islam, or the misconduct of some monks, but about the tenets and practice of Buddhism in general.
May, can and should Buddhism be reformed? And how? Or should everything stay the same?
Reply to the statement: "Buddhism must move with the times!"
About this blogger
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Born in 1944 in Delfzijl as the son of a simple shopkeeper. Studied in Groningen and Curacao. Worked as a doctor in Tanzania for three years, then as a general practitioner in Vlaardingen. A few years before my retirement I married a Thai lady, we had a son who speaks three languages well.
Lived in Thailand for almost 20 years, first in Chiang Kham (Phayao province) then in Chiang Mai where I liked to bother all kinds of Thai with all kinds of questions. Followed Thai extracurricular education after which a diploma of primary school and three years of secondary school. Did a lot of volunteer work. Interested in the Thai language, history and culture. Have been living in the Netherlands for 5 years now together with my son and often with his Thai girlfriend.
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yes, but age-old ideas, with the rules and customs that may or may not result from them, with administrators who refuse to accept anything, even if it were only a study of change, adapting to the present time, are deeply embedded in people's DNA. I am Roman Catholic and know the same goes for my church and don't let me talk about Islam.
But just try to change something in a political party or an association, read = to the times of now.
A nice discussion
A number of core values of Buddhism appeal to me very much. As acceptance of reincarnation and put simplistically, what you do for your fellow man in this life will benefit you in the next life. But, as with other religions or spiritual ideologies, it is human interpretation, people's own thoughts that set the course of time that create, to put it mildly, noise against what was intended by an enlightened human being who could see just a little further or even much further than the average mortal. In other words, every religion today has deviated from what its founder intended. However, the core values are always good. Let us cherish those core values, which nevertheless amount to doing good to our fellow human beings, and trust that humanity will move in the right direction. This can be recognized by numerous events, although it will take generations before all people can live in peace, which is the purpose of creation.
The negative aspects you mention, I think, are also the result of social conditions that influence the spiritual in such a way that the people who pull the strings leave it at that. I believe that especially through good education, the masses will gain a growing awareness and the people who will one day pull the strings will eventually ensure an increasingly humane climate, in Thailand and in the rest of the world.
I may have been very lucky, but in my immediate environment I see many clues in the right direction. The glass is three-quarters full as far as I'm concerned. Any improvement imposed from above is of course progress, but it is mainly the people themselves who can bring about progress in their immediate environment.
Everyone do your best!
For the 9 points you quote, the Buddha already gave the answer 2500 years ago.
They are totally unimportant in a Buddhist way of life. building temples and worshiping images was even rejected by the Buddha. In fact, they have nothing to do with Buddhism.
The Buddha has always taught that one should be very critical of what he preached. And not just blindly accept what he said
However, point 8 is the essence of Buddhism
Point 9 is more about the Karma in the present life than the future
Buddhism should not be reformed at all because it is a personal way of life and not a religion with dogmatic commands or prohibitions. Because in fact Buddhism is pure Atheism.
In Thailand, however, a Thai version of Buddhism has been developed, which is in fact animism, topped with a very thin Buddhist sauce. In short, what passes for Buddhism in Thailand has nothing to do with Buddhism.
By the way, in Thailand, Buddhism is a state-controlled institution. Of which the patriarch is appointed and appointed by the king. This has been the case since the reforms of Rama V. Since then, Thai Buddhism has lost its independence from the state.
Like my wife, I try to live the Buddhist way of life, but I never go to a temple or make offerings to monks. So keep me away from Tamboens or other Kaitins. I do participate in cremation rites out of respect for the family.
Buddhism as you describe it is the monstrosity of centuries of human manipulation, which Buddha has nothing to do with. Buddhism as a philosophy (not a religion) is not outdated at all and still points the right path.
And I think it's a damn shame that many will again not notice the difference between apples and pears.
Who knows, dear Tino, you will go down in history as the reformer of Buddhism. And that while you, according to yourself, are not a believer. Sorry to hear that your stepdaughter is disabled. I understand that you were disappointed with the content and packaging of a monk's response to a question that I thought was unanswerable. Perhaps another monk would have shown more empathy in his answer. Believing in karma and preaching it seems to me to be mainly for the promotion of good deeds in the present life.
1. The worship of hierarchy.
A: Once, down with the Sangha. Live the free monks.
2. An embrace of oppressive, dictatorial regimes and strong nationalism
A: Once, goes hand in hand with 1.
.
3. Belief in miracles, sacred objects, blessings and prophecies.
A: Yes, that may be a little less, but animism and ax belief is part of keeping a belief acceptable to the people. Take away the future predictions, blessings, etc. from them and the enthusiasm to come to a house of faith fades away. Kind of self-interest so to maintain this. I understand, but it rubs with Buddhism (letting go of everything).
4.Little interest in applying the Dharma, the Teaching, to social (dis)situations.
A: Goes hand in hand with 1 and 2. The free monk gets into trouble with the Sangha or the government (military). The government must therefore reform: more democratic, more transparent, separation of church and state, trias politica etc etc.
5. A negative image of women who are seen as inferior and dangerous.
A: The woman as an equal but slightly less equal than the man (can become a monk but not in Thailand and where that is still possible among men). But further elaboration (examples) here would be desirable.
6. Too much emphasis on scriptures, teachers, Dalai Lamas, Zen masters and the like and too little independent thinking.
A. I have the impression that temple attendance is declining. People call themselves Buddhists but no longer go to the temple daily or weekly. Several Thai people I know only go a few times a year on special occasions. Believing at home allows you to believe more loosely, without blindly following someone in authority.
7. Worship of the person of the Buddha instead of his Teachings, the Dharma (as the Buddha himself believed).
A: Go tell them that the Buddha statues can be a bit less… I'm afraid if you quoted Siddhartha you would offend a lot of people. This only has a chance of success with neutral lessons at school about the most dominant beliefs / views on life.
8. Monks withdraw too much from social life, they are too distant.
A: Afraid of the authorities (see 1, 2 and 4)?
9. An Overemphasis on Karma:
A: I know it's too often used as an excuse by the people at the top. That of course rubs with the basic principles of Buddhism.
The Judeo-Christian faith needs the amendment of at least as many points as the 9 points listed in the article. Both in terms of faith, unconditional adoration, support of fascism, superstition, recruiting souls, extorting money, a supremacist sense of arrogance towards the others and pagans who have been killed for them. Islam is sailing in the same boat at a different speed. Those Buddhists aren't that bad after all.
Applying old life wisdom in a modern world is a difficult task and has already made many victims
Dear Tina,'
Another very good article, thank you for that.
I think that the Buddha did not give those 9 points as a direction, but that this has become the interpretation of the people and that is a pity, because these points indeed harm the teachings of Buddhism as The Buddha intended.
Better training in the temples for new monks by well trained monks would also be a great improvement.
In education too, the Dharma should be explained as The Buddha intended it, but that is not easy when the parents of many children are quite animistic and often allow themselves to be tempted by poverty with gambling, lotteries, so that material / money matters violate the teachings of the Buddha was adapted to one's own personal circumstances.
The teachings of The Buddha were open to dialogue and perhaps there is little to modernize in that teaching.
good regards from Danny
For me, religion is something personal and it gets scary when groups of people (Muslims, Christians) or even countries (take Israel, Iran for example) start posing as the representatives of a religion, often with the message that they are the only ones who possess religious wisdom. Discussions about contraceptives in the Catholic Church have nothing to do with the core of Catholicism, but with the topicality of the subject. There is really nothing in the Bible about condoms. And so people who call themselves Catholic think differently about it.
Most religions have no real power structure, except for the Catholic Church where the Pope is the 'boss'. The core of religions is a number of commandments and prohibitions that are virtually the same for many religions. They also apply to humanists and have everything to do with the progress of civilization. That core should certainly not be changed because there is no reason at all to do so.
So should Buddhism adapt to the times? No.
Should, are Buddhists allowed to discuss current issues and to differ in opinion? Yes please.
Good piece from Tino. Buddhadasa Bhikku, who also mentioned Tino in his article, will largely agree with his list of criticisms. Buddhadasa founded the world famous meditation center Wat Mokkhabalarama in the south of Thailand in 1932. He is seen as the most influential Buddhist teacher and is also a critic of the way Buddhism is experienced in Thailand and not only in Thailand. We see in countries like Myanmar and Sri Lanka how nationalism in Buddhism can even turn into racist pogroms against Muslims and other dissenters, while one of the central ideas of Buddhist teachings is compassion and tolerance.
His ideas are shared by the equally world-renowned Vietnamese teacher Thich Nhat Han, who has his meditation center in 'Plum Village' in France. His most famous book is 'The Miracle of being awake' about 'mindfulness'.
Two main movements in Buddhism are distinguished, namely Theravada Buddhism mainly practiced in ZOAzie, which is more nationalistic and animistic, including the cult of amulets.
The second mainstream is the so-called Mahayana Buddhism, which is practiced in East Asia, Tibet, Mongolia and border areas in Russia and China, and that would then emphasize Zen and meditation.
I know of two books by Buddhadasa that I highly recommend, namely 'Handbook for Mankind' and 'Heartwood of the Bodhi Tree'.
The essence of any faith is what people make of it and there are many caveats to that.
Any changes in the experience of faith, I leave to the believers.
A lot of things that take place in Thailand have little to do with Buddhism but more with animism, but you know that yourself. Should it change and move with the times? Ah, education, reason and science are the death knell for religion. Religious leaders don't like people asking questions. Knowing and believing are often in conflict with each other and we know how lousy education is in Thailand so that explains a lot. I would leave religion for what it is and boost education in Thailand. The changes in (and less controlling role of) religion then follow automatically in the longer term.
https://www.economist.com/news/international/21623712-how-education-makes-people-less-religiousand-less-superstitious-too-falling-away
When will people finally stop calling Buddhism a religion, religion or philosophy. Buddhism is none of that. Buddhism is just a way of life. In short, walking the golden mean, and realizing that everything is temporary. You come into the world naked and alone and you leave naked and alone. Because nothing you accumulate during this life can take you with you. So try not to waste the time between birth and death on trifles and just try to be a good person. Nothing more and nothing less. And especially remember the words of the Buddha, where he says that You and You alone are the solution to your problems. Not begging for intervention or putting your problems in the hands of a supreme being will solve your problems. Also praying the stones from the wall or hanging the temple walls with gold is useless for a better life. now or later is useless. The Buddha taught us that we are always responsible for our actions and decisions and that we cannot pass those responsibilities on to someone else or blame anyone for our misfortunes. That is the essence of Buddhism. So what should be modernized about it.
Superstitions such as a prediction of the future, blessing or the 'useless' wallpapering of a wall or statue with gold leaf will not stop you. That is in many people, perhaps even more so in a society with more inequality, poverty and no social safety net. We humans do not like uncertainty. To return to the essence of Buddhism, the dissolution of authoritarian leadership (eg Sangha) seems to me an essential step. A general further improvement of society on various fronts (income, social services, freedoms, …) is a close second.
You are undoubtedly right with your interpretation of pure Buddhism, but it is not really experienced that way in Thailand, of course.
Buddhism must move with the times!
That's the statement.
Then the interested parties will first have to be thoroughly acquainted with Buddhism as intended!
Subsequently having to make a study and analysis where changes may be necessary in order to arrive at a contemporary interpretation of Buddhism.
Whether society is ready for this new input at that time is a “next chapter!”
Changes resulting from populism and gut feelings lead to destruction.