"If there is a meaning in life at all," psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor Victor Frankl writes, "then there must be a meaning in suffering." As impossible as it seems, we can find this meaning, but it requires deep training.
Great insights as always! I can’t wait for your book to be released.
Question: Is there discussion among Buddhists about non-attachment to historical forms of Buddhism? It always struck me as a paradox that some Buddhists (especially Buddhist converts from non-Buddhist backgrounds) often go overboard in adopting outward forms of historically rooted Buddhist traditions (sometimes I think coming very close to cultural appropriation). It always makes me chuckle a bit when some Buddhist converts introduce themselves with long exotic names, but later you find out their name is actually ‘Gary’ or something really ordinary like that. Lol. They seem to have a deep attachment to form.
How does one practice Buddhism without getting caught up in the “form” of the thing, especially in some branches of Buddhism like Japanese Zen which places a great emphasis on architecture, the arts, brushwork etc. that is very rooted in a very specific form/cultural milieu?
Thanks again for your wonderful insights and thoughtful reflections.
Great insights as always! I can’t wait for your book to be released.
Question: Is there discussion among Buddhists about non-attachment to historical forms of Buddhism? It always struck me as a paradox that some Buddhists (especially Buddhist converts from non-Buddhist backgrounds) often go overboard in adopting outward forms of historically rooted Buddhist traditions (sometimes I think coming very close to cultural appropriation). It always makes me chuckle a bit when some Buddhist converts introduce themselves with long exotic names, but later you find out their name is actually ‘Gary’ or something really ordinary like that. Lol. They seem to have a deep attachment to form.
How does one practice Buddhism without getting caught up in the “form” of the thing, especially in some branches of Buddhism like Japanese Zen which places a great emphasis on architecture, the arts, brushwork etc. that is very rooted in a very specific form/cultural milieu?
Thanks again for your wonderful insights and thoughtful reflections.
Always insightful reading!