[Buddha-l] Question for academic teachers of Buddhism

[Curt Steinmetz]

Perennial Favorites wrote:
>
> I think many Westerners (by "many" I mean me and my friends) initially 
> entertain the idea of Buddhism because it doesn't seem like a 
> religion.  The first time I meditated with the local Sangha, I was 
> appalled by the sutra service, the chants, the bowing.  I've since 
> come to value that part of it, but that first night I wanted to 
> leave.  I thought the rituals felt fake and unnatural and that they 
> had nothing to do with my understanding of Buddhist philosophy.

Been there - done that - still have the t-shirt.

I think it's interesting to look at where this phenomenon comes from: 
that of people being attracted to Buddhism based on the idea that it 
"doesn't seem like a religion". Some explanation for this idea is 
certainly in order - considering the fact that Buddhism is not only 
obviously very much a religion, but one of the oldest and largest 
religions on earth.

Curt