[Buddha-l] modern buddhist teachers

[Curt Steinmetz]

So far we've got HHDL, TNH and RAR (Robert Aitken Roshi).

I don't really think the criteria I proposed are all that difficult to 
work with - especially given the examples from Hinduism that I included: 
Vivekananda, Gandhi and Aurobindo.

HHDL probably comes the closest - in fact I believe he is the only one 
even in the running. He is extremely popular among Asian Buddhists - 
especially in Taiwan and Japan (as well as, naturally, among Central 
Asian Buddhists). And yet where Aurobindo, Vivekananda and Gandhi were 
all committed to the complete liberation and independence of India, HHDL 
has adopted a far more accommodating approach with respect to the brutal 
conquest of Tibet by the Chinese, which I think greatly undercuts his 
potential appeal and influence (and importance), although it sells well 
among aging hippies in the West.

Curt

jkirk wrote:
>  
>
>
>
> My Fellow Diverteds and others,
>
> It might liven things up if some <g> one would mention that
> "Great Western Vehicle" movement. 
>
> Or, there is "Big Sky Mind", etc. 
>
> So far, none have suggested HHDL or TNH. 
>
> Perhaps, I confuse common 'preachers' with once-in-decades
> teachers. 
>
>
> Richard Basham
> ====================
> I got the impression that Curt was asking about modernised
> Buddhism in Asia, but his query was vague all right. 
>
> "Great Western Vehicle" is in the US, seems like, but not sure.
> The website claims to be Mahayana, but says that they do not
> reject enlightenment in this life. They claim to be a 4th wheel.
> Is this "modernising," "reform," or just tinkering? Is innovation
> modernisation? Who knows?
>
> Big Sky Mind was a book about the beats; or if there is an
> organisation by that title, it's not available online. That
> certainly was USA, not Asia. 
>
> JK
>
>
>
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