Buddhism in America

"From Buddhist Laughter to the Protestant Smile" is an interesting article by Peter Berger which discusses the increasing popularity of Buddhism in America.  I posted a response on his blog.  

He describes the current situation:

What is attractive in all this to contemporary Americans? ....  it seems to me that there is one Buddhist practice that is close to the heart of the attraction: the practice of “mindfulness”. ....It means concentrated, quiet attention to reality, beginning with one’s own physical processes (notably breathing)...

He wanders:

What does it have to do with the original message of the Buddha?

Then he describes the "original" message:

.... At the very core of this experience, ... is the notion of reincarnation..... often called the “wheel of life”..... Hinduism and Buddhism have sought for ways to escape the horrible wheel altogether. 

... [Buddhism worldview is] expressed by the so-called Three Universal Truths:  All reality is transitory.  All reality is non-self. All reality is suffering.  

He observes that: 

To the extent that American culture has been decisively shaped by notions derived from Christianity, the Buddhist worldview is not readily plausible.  (... the gist of an “Abrahamic” worldview may be formulated as a denial of each of the Three Universal Truths.) 

His conclusions:  Buddhism has evolved.

Americanized Buddhism has absorbed the cheerful [American] optimism 

Is this “enculturation” a bad thing? Not necessarily.

However, it has little do with the anguish that drove a young Indian prince to give up a life of privilege, to leave his family, and to go out as a begging pilgrim in search of a way to extinguish desire.

The article seemed a bit critical, and so did some of the comments that followed it.  Below, is my (slightly edited) response.

All popular philosophies (I am deliberately avoiding the term “religions”), became popular by utilizing sales tools that attracted a large audience.  I assume that the small minority of westerners that are drawn to the Buddhist philosophy were not convinced by the advertised benefits of the "Abrahamic" religions.  Neither the wrath of God (Judaism), nor the pleasures of Heaven (Christianity and Islam), were enough to induce us into the fold.  Similarly, we are not driven by fear of continuous re-incarnations(Buddhism).   Siddhartha Gautama taught that even in this life, following the Dharma will lead to reduced suffering, and to me, that is the attraction in Buddhism.  As I follow the path, I am gaining peace in small but significant steps.  

As an additional benefit, it is comforting to know that due to its emphasis on self-improvement rather than conversion, Buddhism philosophy generated few (if any) wars and atrocities.

Yes, laughing or smiling, Buddhism has adapted to its new environment