This is a cartoon that was made from the American point of view about Buddhists. Obviously it is a negative stereotype which basically portrays Buddhists as people who don’t think about “important” things in life and focus their attention on frivolous issues. The problem lies with the definition of “important” because focusing on meditation and trying to get to the point at which you are enlightened is really important to Buddhists and not necessarily important to normal everyday Americans. On the other side of the spectrum Buddhist monks probably wouldn’t think that Americans that worry about money every second of every day are “thoughtless” in the sense that it has no purpose in the long run.
In the book in the chapter about Buddhism in the west Brad Warner further explains the practice of zazen which relates to this stereotype. To explain zazen he wrote:
“There’s a story in which a Zen master hears about a wandering monk who says, “If a clear mind comes, let it come. If a cloudy mind comes, let it come.” The Zen master grabs him and yells, “What if neither a clear mind nor a cloudy mind comes?” The monk says, “I hear they’re having a big sale on underwear at JC Penny” and wanders off. The master says approvingly, “I thought this was no ordinary monk!””
This story confirms the stereotype to a certain extent. It confirms that people practicing zazen do actually sit and focus on nothing that Americans seem to think is important. However, the stereotype does not confirm that they focus unimportant issues according to the Buddhist themselves.
This certain stereotype in my opinion is all a matter of values. Personally, I think that the practice of zazen that he mentions in the book seems to me to be just as important, if not more important, than the thoughts that most Americans burden themselves with. Also, I feel that the religions that Americans are most familiar with have a lot to do with their perceptions of religions such as Buddhism. In Christianity everything is so concrete and the proper ways to follow are laid out for you that I think that they have difficulties imagining that someone can reach their goal (enlightenment or heaven) in their own way.
I totally agree with you. When I first saw this cartoon I didn't get an automatic negative response from it but after reading what you wrote I see your point. This is very demeaning, undermining the quality of the religion by saying words like "thoughtless".
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with what you said about the stereotype being based on what people value and think is important. A lot of people are more focused on concrete, more materialistic goals and the idea of enlightenment as a goal is to abstract to grasp.
ReplyDeleteFirst I want to say I am deeply offended by your use of language on my post (just kidding). I like what you said about my blog and after reading yours I can relate to a similar ground. Americans are not used to Buddhist sutras and the style of living because we are not raised that way. In history, we have always been the underdog, so naturally they had to make money, do it on their own, and eventually it led to a superpower. If someone were to ask me to drop my possessions and possessions of the mind and devote myself to the Buddha and his Dhamma, I would be hesitant because I am not used to it, not to say I want to look at Buddhism in a negative way, Jesus said the same in Mark, but thats another story. I would love to learn a new religion but just like anything else, lets say smoking, the person is not going to quit unless they are ready and want to, just doing it for someone or something is selfish to the point of making someone happy or to conform to something. Maybe through my studies and experience I can learn something new about Eastern traditions. I digress, but in your blog you stated about Zazen and how people just do it just to do it, this is also typical American thought. In the book people can get "Enlightened" in an hour or before lunch, the American way of thought is instant gratification for one self, and there in lies the point, where most Americans can not practice Buddhism to the fullest extent
ReplyDeleteI used this cartoon for my blog post as well; however, I like your interpretation of the cartoon better than my own. I agree with your comment that the interpretation of the stereotype is based on one's values. Non- Buddhist followers find it hard to relate to something that they seem have very little knowledge of. It is no wonder that so many stereotypes are placed on Buddhists.
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ReplyDeleteI definitely see your point about this cartoon, and agree that a large part of this American point of view is because of the cultural difference between Christianity and Buddhism. Americans are too used to having things spelled out for us. Also, I feel like it is a natural reaction for us, as Americans, to make fun of things that are different.
ReplyDeleteI like what you said about Americans not used to the concept of enlightenment and Buddhism. I'm not particularly religious but I was raised Buddhist. So seeing other religions and how they practice their faiths interest me. I feel like Buddhists never "recruit" anyone to Buddhism whereas I see that it is more common to be "recruited" into Christianity and Catholicism. I just thought about that since you were comparing the Eastern and Western traditions.
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