The New Buddhism: The Western Transformation of an Ancient Tradition

by James William Coleman

Today, many in western society find themselves seeking more satisfying spiritual lives. Faiths formerly seen as exotic have suddenly become attractive alternatives in our multicultural society. This is especially true of Buddhism, which is the focus of constant media attention, thanks in part to celebrity converts, major motion pictures, and the popularity of the Dalai Lama. Following this recent trend, James Coleman argues that a new and radically different form of this ancient faith is emerging.
Investigating the contemporary scene, Coleman finds that Western teachers have borrowed liberally from different Buddhist traditions that have had little interaction with each other in Asia, that men and women practice together as equals, and that the path of meditation and spiritual practice is offered to everyone, not just an elite cadre of monks. Drawing on interviews with noted teachers and lay practitioners, as well as a survey completed by members of seven North American Buddhist centers, Coleman depicts the colorful variety of new Buddhists today, from dilettantes to devoted students and the dedicated teachers who guide their spiritual progress. He also details the problems that have arisen ,especially with regard to gender roles, sex, and power.
Exploring the appeal of this exotic faith in postmodern society and questioning its future in a global consumer culture, The New Buddhism provides a thorough and fascinating guide to Western Buddhism today.

Genres: Buddhism, Nonfiction, History, Religion

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Frank Jude · Rating 4 out of 5]

James William Coleman's The New Buddhism is sub-titled "The Western Transformation of an Ancient Tradition" and does quite a good job of summarizing Buddhism's Asian roots and surveying the changes as well as what seems to have been retained as its made its way to the West.

In "At the Marrow: Practice and Belief" he covers the distinct traditions that have had the biggest impact on the West: Zen, Tibetan Buddhism, and Vipassana (via the Therevada school of Buddhism). In "Sex, Power, and Conflict" he examines the rash of scandals that hit Western Buddhism in the 1980s. It's telling that this book, published in 2001, makes it seem like such scandals had led to real structural changes, but anyone following the trajectory of Buddhism in the West since then knows only too well how that hasn't been the case! In many ways, he's a bit soft and even a bit of an apologist when it comes to this issue.

For instance, he does mention that Maezumi Roshi's students confronted him for his alcoholism and that had led to his seeking treatment, but there is no mention that his death in 1995 was the result of falling asleep drunk in a hot tub! Worse is his white-washing of the horrendous abuses of Trungpa Rinpoche just because he was "never hypocritical" about his drinking and sexual behavior and even accepting Trungpa's (and his sangha's) rationalization of his abuse as an expression of "crazy wisdom!"

In retrospect, his coverage of the Sogyal Rinpoche scandal exposes Robert Thurman for the denialist/apologist/propagandist he has been regarding Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism. For those who don't know, Sogyal Rinpoche was accused way back in 1994 of sexual harassment and the accuser was supported by a number of Western Buddhist teachers to come forward "to prevent further abuse.". Thurman's response was to write this pathetic bullshit:

"There is a group of Western Buddhist teachers who feel they should now be honored and respected themselves as teachers, and who represent a very puritanical tendency. I think they're envious of Asian teachers who maybe misbehave a little bit around the edges, but who are more respected then they are. I'm not saying there is a conspiracy. But there are certainly people who have been abetting this attack."

To refer to sexual harassment as "misbehavior a little bit around the edges" is simply tone-death as well as misogynist. Because of the enabling of people like Thurman it wasn't until 24-years later that finally Sogyal was fully outed as the pathological abuser that he was!
https://tricycle.org/tag/sex-scandal-...

Still, overall, this is a mostly well-balanced survey that ends with a hope that the intervening years has sadly shown to be overly optimist. Coleman writes, "Despite its gentle mien, Buddhism is a profoundly subversive force in postmodern consumer society." From my perspective, it would have been more accurate to say that Buddhism COULD BE a profoundly subversive force in postmodern consumer society.

The reason it could be subversive is that the very foundation and structure of our capitalist-driven consumer society is built upon the unquestioned assumption that we are separate, autonomous individuals. Individuals with insatiable appetites and a hunger for establishing a sense of solid identity -- whether as part of an ethnic group, political ideology, or oppressed group. Individual "selves driven by a sense of inadequacy, driven by the desire to be better, richer, or wiser people, driven by the need to prove their worth, driven by dark fears about the future and the fate that awaits us."

Coleman asks, given this, "What would happen if enough people saw through all that?" What indeed would happen if a critical mass of people were to see through the fabrication and non-reality of such a "self?" It would indeed lead to enormous changes in society! But alas, neo-liberalism has apparently won that battle as contemporary Western Buddhism as now taught has become co-opted by the neo-liberal emphasis on the individual. An example? "You're feeling stressed at work? Practice mindfulness meditation" and ignore the fact that the corporate structure breaks your spirit and exploits your labor. "You're a soldier facing enormous stresses? Practice mindfulness meditation" and ignore the questions about the legitimacy of your government sending military forces into this particular nation.

Is it too late to teach and practice the subversive teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha?

[Ihor Kolesnyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Цікава книга - це власне наукова розвідка на основі історичних та соціологічних даних про ситуацію із буддизмом на Заході. Корисна усім, хто хоче зрозуміти ландшафт буддійських шкіл, проблем і перспектив цієї релігії у США та деяких європейських країнах.
Читав на одному диханні, що для академічної книги рідкість.

[Stephan · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you know nothing about Buddhism, I recommend you read this book. It does cover all the different aspects of early Buddism practices in the East, and guides you into how it transformed in the West.

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

The topic of investigating the increase of Buddhism in the western world is a fascinating topic and this book definitely stimulated much interest for me. However, as a read, I did find the discussion repetitive and sometimes lacking sense of an answer. I feel like there is a need to revisit the topic with a larger pool of data and a survey that would increase in size ideas brought on from this one to get a more accurate view of the status of Buddhism in North America. That being said, it was fascinating in parts and made me want to learn more about the topic.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice look at Buddhism in America - how it's developing and how it differs from Buddhism in Asia.