[Buddha-l] Bourgeois Buddhism

[Joy Vriens]

Hi all,

Richard wrote that he had always suspected Buddhism was pretty good 
until it got spoiled by systematization and institutionalization of 
religion. I think we can add to this list categorisation on the basis of 
matrika-lists consisting of « race », « racism », « priviliges » and 
other dhammas.

It is a privilege to live in one’s country and to have grown up in it, 
speaking it’s language, knowing its culture, especially if that country 
mobilizes the power of reason, in order to reform society and advance 
knowledge, tries to follow democratic values, human rights, and invites 
immigrants and refugees to become full citizens as well, who are very 
happy to become part of it. Let’s stop the self flogging for a minute 
(Bourgeois Buddhism, ouch ouch), yet not be total Caucasian pricks, and 
assume it is not only the prosperity that makes democratic countries 
attractive, but also (some of) the enlightenhed principles.

And that those very principles may be appealing, including to « ethnic » 
Buddhists in their own « ethnic » country is obvious in the case of King 
Mongkut, Vajiranyanavarorot, KSR Kulap, Kruthep, Buddhadasa etc. in 
Thailand and their wish for a rational evolution of Buddhism. It seems 
to me that there was a similar « split » (rationalistic ? and 
traditionalist buddhist) as the one between « convert » and « ethnic » 
Buddhists. With the difference that Buddhadasa didn’t ordain Western 
monks and encouraged them to keep their original religion. Whereas « 
convert » Buddhists went as far as « converting » themselves to 
Buddhism. This should make « ethnic » Buddhists feel more than welcome ! 
Not bad at all for hospitality and service to those in need !
Joy