The Western Buddhist Movement - Part 2 - Individual Awakening
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Our stubbornness and opinionated individualistic tendencies, which most certainly has its exceptions, can be looked upon as strength of our Western culture. Many of us are beings not satisfied with what someone else tells us is truth, we want to see for ourselves. We strive to dig deeper, explore further and not take a half-assed answer in exchange for the real thing. Westerners have made science almost a new religion, constantly challenging conventional wisdom, seeking out new ways of doing things, taking different perspectives on old problems. It is this drive, this determination which can enhance our practice to test and see for ourselves this understanding.
"The art of our necessities is strange,
And can make vile things precious. "
~William Shakespeare, King Lear
Not to be outdone, but perhaps out of necessity, our cultures have seemingly embraced the best fitting parts of other cultures and integrated them into our own. We have shown we are able see when something works better or is more effective than what we currently have and build it into this quilt-work fiber of society. Once reason and good judgement are found, which sometimes takes a long time, the xenophobic leanings seem to be quickly forgotten. In Buddhist teachings, we have already shown that we can take a certain practice from one Buddhist culture and integrating with another from a totally different culture.
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."
~Plato
Hurdles remain and probably will for a long time to come. Closed mindedness, lack of compassion for other cultures and customs and those in the West that cling to belief in truth as told to them and not experienced will remain a difficult obstacle. The ego which sees itself as infallible and righteous is and will always remain the peril of individualism and it is up to our good judgment and conviction of sensibility to over come it.
"Doubt is not an agreeable condition, but certainty is an absurd one."
~Voltaire
This does not mean our journeys should be embarked on alone. Guidance, teaching, encouragement and friendship from a community of those knowledgeable and other fellow travelers can greatly help us on our way. Our Sangha or whatever label you place upon it, however unconventional has shown itself to be selfless, compassionate and full of wisdom. Will we lose this sense of commun
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