Session 9:
Prompts

1) Orientalism and Buddhist modernism

What are some of the ways white people might at times be “Orientalizing Westernism” versus “Westernizing Buddhism”?

Have you experienced forms of white Buddhist privilege? 

• versus Asian Buddhists in the US / UK / Europe or in Asia? 

• versus other white converts to other religions?

2) Two Buddhisms? Who gets to decide?

What is your relationship to Buddhist communities where you live that have arisen out of Asian immigration? Have you ever visited? Do you know how long they have been there? When you visit, how do you feel? What views arise?

What are some of the stereotypes / ideas about Asian Buddhists in your context? in Triratna?

3) Racial re-articulations in Buddhist modernism

In your experience of predominantly white convert Buddhism(s), do you see patterns of thought and practice that might be connected to colonialism?

What do you make of the proposed difference between “cultural re-articulations” and “racial re-articulations”?

How do you personally relate to the idea of “Ethnic Going for Refuge”?

4) Buddhist religious diversity and superiority conceit

How do you relate to other Buddhist groups and traditions?

How do you contextualize your Buddhist community within this larger context?