Modern Western Buddhism
In the West Buddhist practice differs greatly from the beliefs and practices of Buddhists in Asia. In Asia Buddhism is a fixed dogmatic religion full of superstition. In the West, Buddhism is presented as rational and devoid of supernatural beliefs. (mostly)
The practices of Buddhism in the West are not supported by tradition and are an entirely new development. Funnily enough, Westerners often declare that their practice is “pure” Buddhism, devoid of superstition and faith, they claim it is the true form of Buddhism which has somehow been miraculously transmitted through all the various Asian cultures, down through 2,550 years to arrive in the modern Western world free of all the additives and fluff of centuries of Asian practice! Sound familiar? It is the cry of religious followers of all faiths. “Our version is the one true version.” Nichiren said that, as did Kukai, and Saicho, and Dogen, and ……..
Modern “rational” Buddhism is a recent invention, the result of a series of reforms due to increased contact with the West and the need to modernise. There can be no such thing as “pure” Buddhism. It is a religion which has constantly evolved, influenced by the places, cultures and eras in which it has been practiced.
If anything, Western Buddhism is so far removed from the practices of Asia as to be another religion altogether.
