Buddhism: Growth or decline?
Having launched, perhaps a little unwisely, into a head on debate on an engaged Buddhist loop, I retire to lick my wounds and consider. Is Buddhism growing or in decline at present? Hard to answer such a general question, but in response to an account of the current age of growth (are we really 30 years into a 100 year growth phase in the West as Ayya Khema is quoted to have said?) I felt the need to flag up concerns I have shared with others in some quarters of the Buddhist world that Buddhism in the West has perhaps already passed its peak - at least in its current form - and has reached a point of stasis or even some decline. Can we really still claim to be the fastest growing religion as we did five or ten years ago? I am not pessimistic, but I do feel we need to take an honest look at what is happening and take steps to do something about it. It does seem to me that many groups are struggling to maintain numbers even at current levels. Also we are an aging population. For the most part we are a generation of baby boomers continuing to practice as we have for twenty or more years but maybe not attracting the numbers of young people required to further the Dharma in the future. Of course there are exceptions (many examples of groups attracting young people were pointed out to me) but overall there are not many. Religion is having a hard time generally in the modern world, and especially among the young, so it may not be Buddhists alone who should be worried, but I do think we need to address the critiques leveled at us if we are to re-activate our previous growth levels. How much real social engagement do Buddhist groups engage in? Are we just offering "stress reduction methods" for secular audiences? Are Buddhist groups too withdrawn from ordinary life? Are we too concerned with legitimacy and preserving old forms to adapt to the needs of the west - and the world?
There is a danger that we are perceived as "nice people" practicing peaceful and quietistic methods in quaint monastic settings. There is a danger we are respected but not involved. There is a danger we withdraw ourselves into non-participatory retreat and do not return. Comments please....
There is a danger that we are perceived as "nice people" practicing peaceful and quietistic methods in quaint monastic settings. There is a danger we are respected but not involved. There is a danger we withdraw ourselves into non-participatory retreat and do not return. Comments please....
posted by Prasada at 8:53 am
1 Comments:
Thank you for these comments. It is interesting to reflect further on the questions. I agree with Dharmavidya that the form of Buddhism being adopted in the West is certainly of interest and maybe concern. Personally, in response to Tharakesh, I feel that one issue is precisely that you raise. There is a need for Western Buddhism to find ways for people to combine serious commitment with family life. After all, Christian groups have been doing this (at least in protestant spheres) for a long time. Monasticism there has fallen into a minority activity. In Buddhism there is a strong place for monastics, but I think a third force (not monastic or lay) is really whast is required - and indeed what is developng in many centres including our own. Pureland does have strength in this area but it is not alone. so I am optimistic, but i still urge an end to complacency, and, yes Sujatin, off our cushions!
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