[Buddha-l] buddhisness

[Scott A. Mitchell]

Hello all,

The phrase "long-time listener, first-time caller" jumps to mind, so, here goes.

I've greatly enjoyed the discussion so far on this issue as it's one I think about not too infrequently. I'd like to point our collective attention to the work of Jeremy Carrette and Richard King in their book "Selling Spirituality" for a critique of religion-as-commodity. I think they have some good points (can't say I agree with everything, but that's sort of always true, no?), one of which is the following: is it possible for a commodity within the capitalist system to actually critique the system of which it is a part? That is, if Buddhism becomes merely a commodity within the capitalist marketplace, will it be able to effectively critique capitalism? I'm personally on the fence on that one -- leaving aside the other question of whether or not one necessarily needs to critique the capitalist enterprise in the first place. But I think this points to the misgivings Franz and Joanna express.

At any rate. Thanks for the discussion.

Cheers,
Scott 

____________________________________

Scott A. Mitchell
Institute of Buddhist Studies
Editorial Committee, Pacific World
BIE Program Coordinator


On Apr 12, 2011, at 1:44 PM, Timothy Smith wrote:

> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Franz wrote
>> 
>> But Joanna warned,
>> 
>>> I always viewed this trend as a corruption of Buddhist practice
>>> and teachings, another example of how capitalisim commodifies
>>> anything, and tries to commodify everything.
>> 
>> I agree with this as well. When Buddhist practices reshape business  
>> practices I am sanguine. But when business practices reshape Buddhist  
>> practices I am intensely disturbed. This is why I come down so hard on  
>> (the now disgraced) Genpo Roshi's Big Mind enterprise, especially in  
>> its 5-5-50 guise. That is a example of, at least to me, blatant  
>> commodification of Buddhism, exactly what Joanna warns against. When  
>> Buddhism is delivered to the people via the mechanisms of  
>> commodification, it loses its ability to critique the structures of  
>> capitalism. Very unskillful.
> 
> There are, at the very least, a number of areas where the buddhist concerns
> with desire/aversion/ignorance are at odds with what I call 'unfettered capitalism'.
> Having said that, capitalism, like any other 'ism' is a human enterprise and can
> benefit from a wise and reflective critique of its methods, beliefs and outcomes.
> I think this is where building awareness comes in.  Its the first step in understanding
> how the excesses of this (or any system) have negative consequences whether they
> be individual, organizational or systemic in character.  Gotta start somewhere. 
>> 
>> But, to be candid, I've had my share of critics at author events  
>> taking me to task for what they see as my own contribution to  
>> commodifying the Buddhadharma. They are not entirely wrong.
>> 
>> Franz
> 
> Damned if you do, damned if you don't eh Franz....LOL.  BTW, I'd love to see your book,
> can you point me toward it?
> 
> Tks,
> 
> Tim
> Timothy Smith
> Office/Mobile 831.624.8138
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> 
> 
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