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 

The Burma Road

"STOP THE BLOCKADES".  The large banner hanging from a private balcony, complained about a popular form of protest in Oaxaca.  Often, a group frustrated by government inaction, will barricade a main road for hours.  After the debacle of the 2006 protests, the government refrains from any provocative action, leaving the unfortunate drivers stranded.

We were climbing the winding road to the mountaintop village of San Jose Del Pacifico, home of the Magic Mushrooms, when we reached the tail of a long line of stalled cars.  The cause of the stoppage was further up the mountain and not visible.
"A blockade"  was the resigned response of the truck drivers resting in the shade of small oak.
"By whom?"
"The Teachers".  (The teachers union instigated the 2006 rebellion, and is thus the usual suspect)
"Until when?"
"Who knows.  Maybe 5PM?"

I checked my map. Not far behind, a dirt road branched off the highway, and wound its way up to the next town.  It was still morning, no rain, I had a tankful of gas, and Adi was happy to embark on a cross-country adventure.  As I maneuvered the u-turn, I noticed four or five vehicles also leaving the blockade.  They were following a taxi-driver who knew the detour.  I decided to join the convoy.  We turned off the highway earlier than I would have, and followed a much rougher road than I anticipated.  After several steep, rutted inclines, we crossed a flowing creek, and somehow managed to loose sight of the guiding taxi.
The next Y intersection required a group discussion, "Right or Left?"
The road to the left struggled for a while, then brought us back to the highway.  Unfortunately, it was not high enough.   Protesting villagers (not teachers) ambling their way to the blockade below, prevented our access to the paved road.  As we tried to retrace our path, the villagers placed large rocks behind us.  The adventure was quickly turning into a nightmare.  We were trapped between two groups of men with stern faces and heavy sticks.  My companions tried to plea, reason, and bribe the villagers, but to no avail.  Eventually,  a village elder arrived, and agreed to let us return the way we came.  Soon we encountered the taxi driver, and after one more creek crossing, the road improved and we safely reached the highway.  Everybody was happy to pay the taxi driver for his effort ($2.50 per car).  I never learned the cause for the protest.

During the late lunch at San Jose Del Pacifico, I told Adi about the siege on Jerusalem, and the Burma road that broke it.