I dunno. I think this is frankly a typically Western misreading of Buddhism. It's not about the self, it's about realizing that the "self" is a fiction; it's about realizing no-self.
It's a classic Western misinterpretation of Buddhism to view it as narcissistic when in fact it's the opposite of that. It shows to me a real lack of understanding the essential nature of Buddhism. I would have expected more, to be honest.
I think, though, that that is Mark's point, that this Western Buddhism is self-centered and, therefore, not authentic. At least that's how I read it, admittedly in haste.
I dunno. I think this is frankly a typically Western misreading of Buddhism. It's not about the self, it's about realizing that the "self" is a fiction; it's about realizing no-self.
ReplyDeleteIt's a classic Western misinterpretation of Buddhism to view it as narcissistic when in fact it's the opposite of that. It shows to me a real lack of understanding the essential nature of Buddhism. I would have expected more, to be honest.
I think, though, that that is Mark's point, that this Western Buddhism is self-centered and, therefore, not authentic. At least that's how I read it, admittedly in haste.
ReplyDeleteThat works for me. It wasn't clear to me, from my own reading of it, though; maybe there's a little equivocation? I dunno.
ReplyDeleteOr at least ambivalence.
ReplyDelete