[Buddha-l] New Generation of Western Buddhists? (Dan Lusthaus)

[Jackhat1 at aol.com]

In a message dated 9/12/2011 4:10:07 P.M. Central Daylight Time,  
jehms at xs4all.nl writes:
 
You confuse me here Michael, the word 'Buddhist' used to mean: 'a  
follower of the Buddha'. Maybe I was distracted for a moment and has the  
word changed it's meaning without me being aware. So what is a Buddhist  
these days? Being old school I am still so naïve to think that you  
cannot be a Buddhist without taking refuge in the three jewels. But in  
LA peoples minds are on roller skates.
==
The people I have met in the "new" Buddhist school take the 8-Fold  Path 
very seriously. I would call them Buddhist. Many in the old school I have  met 
don't follow the 8-Fold Path but depend on dana, rites and rituals or  
reading books..


jack