Why I’m Angry – Angry Asian Buddhist

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AndreMay 18, 2010 at 9:44 AM
Hi Arun

This is my first visit to your blog. After having read a few of your posts I understand why you are angry. I have been completely ignorant of these issues. I live in SA, so I’m not always up to speed with US Buddhist matters.

I have bookmarked your blog, it seems a good place to visit.

AnonymousMay 19, 2010 at 2:42 PM
Hi Arun,
Just found this blog. Should be fun to see what types of responses you receive. There’s definitely a need for a blog (if not multiple blogs) like yours. I commend you for starting this trend! Happy writing!

AnonymousMay 19, 2010 at 3:54 PM
Hello,

It’s definitely good to have blogs like this around to challenge the establishment, so keep up the good work. 🙂

Matthew GindinMay 20, 2010 at 9:38 AM
Keep up the good work. I couldn’t agree with your general criticism of the “american buddhist community” more. I’m a Canadian Buddhist of British and Ashkenazi Jewish descent. I lived in a large predominantly Thai Buddhist community in California for three years….reading Tricycle you’d think every North American Buddhist was an aging baby-boomer, with maybe a few younger caucasian punks, gen-xers, and information age whiz-kids, and the occasional African American. Missing from this picture is a real attempt to include the contemporary voices of Asian communities in North America.
Thank you
Matthew (http://mgindin.typepad.com/prakriti/)

MichaelMay 23, 2010 at 4:09 AM
I can dig it. Just because we’re seeking peace on this path, doesn’t mean we can’t ask for a little justice.

michael j
Conshohocken, PA USA

Aaron’s Buddhism BlogMay 29, 2010 at 7:40 AM
Right on, man. I’m glad to see that there are people out there speakin’ the truth about the diversity of American traditions and communities. Big fan of the blog, btw 🙂

Aaron
Yokohama, Japan

XentisJuly 17, 2010 at 7:37 PM
As a Hispanic American and a Nichiren Buddhist, I can imagine – perhaps foresee – a day when The Children of the Sun of Asia and the miscegenated Children of the Sun from Mexico will accomplish a Buddhist conversion of the nation. Nichiren Buddhism says that there are no coincidences. I believe that “La Raza Cosmica” and kosen-rufu will go hand in hand if only someone is willing to expound the Dharma to the Hispanic community.

If you look at mixed marriages in the US, it’s easy to see that European Americans are gradually breeding themselves into extinction, or at least into another form. And Hispanics are the apparently the number one choice, even for the most racists of white Americans. If an Asian-Hispanic bond can be formed through faith, I suspect that the presumptuous arrogance of white American culture will have no choice but to gradually give way.

Dwellers in the heavenly realm often do not realize that they are falling into the lower worlds until it’s too late. Perhaps the things that make you angry might change or “go the way of the Romans,” que no?..

Replies

Asha KumarJanuary 29, 2014 at 8:31 AM
I like the way you think…

DaisyDeadheadJuly 22, 2010 at 9:57 AM
This post is awesome. I did not realize the issue with Tricycle, until you mentioned it. Of course, I see it now.

As an old lefty, I find myself embarrassed to join the ranks of the trendy white converts to Buddhism… so I kind of the opposite of what you are talking about. I continuously worry that I am culturally appropriating/stealing. I am very sensitive to charges of colonialism… Edward Said’s ghost is whispering in my ear, keeping me honest. 🙂

For example, after reading this post of yours, I went back over MY last post, I now see a problem with it. But not editing it out, since I don’t believe in (as I have said many times) engaging in Stalinist rewrites of history. But the line I wrote: On some level, I find Westerners who claim Eastern religions to be pretentious and silly; tourists of the soul. I wish now that I had added the word “white” before “Westerner”–I was speaking of Western religious backgrounds specifically. But I see that this erasure is a serious matter that must be rectified.

Also, throwing out another view that you may not have thought of: Converts always think they have it “right”–or can do it better than the people “raised” in a particular belief-system. I have seen this in all branches of Christianity and in Islam. New Catholics always think the folk-piety of cradle Catholics (“weird” devotions like the Infant of Prague, Our Lady of Guadalupe, etc) is bizarre ethnic stuff and can easily be abandoned/overlooked by the newbies. They don’t understand everything about these ancient devotions, and those “born into” the faith don’t always have the words to translate. I mean, such translations were never NECESSARY before, so explaining what such things have historically meant is very trying and very tiring.

I am so, so curious about what many Buddhist traditions mean, what they are from. But I have found that most white Western (convert) Buddhists have a similar attitude: ohhhh, that silly folk-piety from the old ladies! (Well, yeah, since I am an old lady, I am VERY interested in what the OLD LADIES are doing, thanks!)

Adding you to my blog roll, and thanks for being here.

StarSeptember 7, 2010 at 6:24 AM
Interesting. But. When I talk about Western Buddhism I am not talking about where the individuals come from or even live, but about a sort of “mutt” Buddhism in which the adherents dabble in a variety of traditions or go it alone, and are now coming together to form some new way of accessing the Buddha’s teaching. Usually these are individuals who have left some other religious tradition behind — be it Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, or some other variety — then making a choice to explore Buddhism’s varieties.

StarSeptember 7, 2010 at 6:35 AM
And have you seen this?

http://www.angryasianbuddhist.com/

AnonymousSeptember 11, 2010 at 1:04 PM
The Angry Asian Man, as you mention the post, seems to also get questions of why he is “angry”. A guest blogger on Angry Asian Man has recently contributed an awesome post on “who’s allowed to be angry”. I thought you might find it interesting.

Angry Asian Man link: http://blog.angryasianman.com/2010/09/guest-post-whos-allowed-to-be-angry.html

quang.n.dangSeptember 20, 2010 at 10:11 PM
First of all, Arun, I am sorry you’re angry. As for me, I am Asian and I am not angry at all. I am sad though. The reason is, with the way Buddhism is mostly practiced in Asia (As well as by the majority of Asians living in the West), Buddhism is meant to fade away. Buddhism of non-Asians in the West is mostly practiced through intelligently learning and understanding the Buddha’s teachings and through regular meditation (In part, thanks to the clear teachings of Zen master like Thich Nhat Hanh). Buddhism in Asia is commonly practiced through reciting the Buddha’s teachings (For most without fully understanding them) and through begging him as a Godly figure hoping for favors.
If Buddhism in Asia does not wake up and change its way, it will go into hibernation or vahish.

Also, I have never felt offended, discriminated against or victimized by the behavior of non-Asian Buddhists. Not even once. I am very thankful to all in the West who have opened their mind to welcome the compassionate, peaceful and non-violent teachings of the Buddha. It gives me hope for a better world.
Sincerely,
Quang Dang

AnonymousOctober 10, 2010 at 12:27 PM
I can understand your anger at being excluded, and I agree with you that it is absurd not to find lots of Asians in Buddhist periodicals.

Also, the PBS program, called “The Buddha,” which aired a few months back, had almost no Asian commentators. I was appalled! Almost all the people talking about the Buddha were white!

Let me tell you that discrimination cuts both ways.

I am white, American, and studying Buddhism. I asked an Asian friend if I could come to her temple. Said no. She told me I would not be welcome because I am white, and that the Asian-Americans attending services would not like it if I showed up. She said this was very likely true of all Asian Buddhist temples in the area, and that the Asian communities around here are very insular.

Some of us non-Asians meet and study only with non-Asians because we have no choice. I at least was fortunate to be at a meeting led by 2 Tibetans, but they do not live here, they were just passing through.

I would love to study with Asian Buddhists, and learn from them, but do not have the option to do so at this time. I am polite and respectful, but, I am also white.

GMarch 13, 2011 at 8:02 PM
I’m Asian American and I am Buddhist. I am shocked and disappointed with the treatment some of you have experienced. There are several different sects of Buddhism. I belong to the Buddhist Church of Florin in Sacramento, CA. We are of the Shin or True Pure Land sect, the largest and most popular sect in Japan.

At my church, we have a very diverse congregation…Japanese, African Americans, Chinese, Italians, Phillipinos, Mexican, and many caucasian members who I do not know their specific ethnicity. We open our doors to ANYONE who is interested in learning about Buddhism…we are one BIG happy family.

It saddens my greatly, some of you have not experienced the “open arms” policy we have. If you are in the Sacramento, CA area…please stop by ~ we will love for you to come!

AriMarch 19, 2011 at 9:28 PM
Glad to wander across your blog. :-). I’m a new, unaffiliated practioner, and am still learning much. It saddens me to read that others limited understanding contributes to perpetuating white privilege. Having come from that world of privilege I’m trying to become more aware of my habituated responses.

I’m excited to begin reading what you’ve generously decided to share in your blog entries. And I wanted to express my gratitude that you are willing to share this. I hope to learn much, and progress as a more compassionate person.

Thank you. 🙂

NinaSeptember 21, 2011 at 12:35 PM
Dear Arun,

You have no idea how happy this blog makes me. In fact, I almost started a blog with practically the same title a few years ago!

Seriously friend, we should connect. We have so much to talk about!

Much peace and solidarity,
Nina – an Angry Asian (Sherpa) Buddhist

PS: You have Losar on your calendar. THANK YOU.

AnonymousFebruary 7, 2012 at 2:01 PM
Yeah, I understand what it feels like to be angry! As an Anglo practitioner in a mostly Taiwaneese Zen temple…I completely understand what it is like to be the recipient of attrocious, spiteful racist behavior! Although I know how fashionable it is to attack “white”people as the ONLY perpetrators of prejudice, I know from experience that racism flows in All directions…. FOOD FOR THOUGHT

AnonymousDecember 28, 2012 at 4:31 AM
Maybe usful:

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/thanissaro/karma.html

Don’t wast to much time with anger and investigate the cause.

persephoneApril 5, 2013 at 5:47 AM
Wow this is very interesting and shocking. I had no idea about this. It seems ‘Western Buddhism’ is rather behind when it comes to racism and perhaps also feminism. I would be fascinated to read a book on the role of Asian Americans in American Buddhism and other stories that have not been told. Have you thought about writing a book?

CatherineApril 29, 2013 at 6:21 PM
I practice Buddhism and am white. I am curious, what do you think someone like me should do to encourage others to appreciate the fact that the lineage of Buddhism comes from Asians? I thought is was a well known fact that Buddhism is a predominately Asian religion.

As for your argument, although I can understand where your indignation comes from, think about the demographics of America; almost 75% of America is made up of whites. Although whites who are interested in Buddhism are probably not the type of person to reject learning the dharma from Asians, maybe some whites feel like if they show interest in Buddhism and become active in a sangha they will be rejected by Asian Buddhists for being white. If they felt ostracized, or even anticipated it, it makes sense that some whites might find other white Buddhists to associate with. I agree with Persephone though, perhaps you could write a book to explain the important role of Asians in Buddhist America; I’d buy it!

AnonymousDecember 25, 2013 at 12:47 PM
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

Paul F. StevensonJanuary 4, 2014 at 12:13 PM
Curious viewpoint. Mine is almost the reverse, so there may be common ground. Buddhism would probably never enjoyed its current growth if it were not for the Asian refugees that emigrated to the USA. Still, there are issues. For example, I rejoice that there is a Tibetan Buddhist nunnery in Washington, but it is the only TB monastery in the US. that is predominantly full of non-Asian men or women. Even “worse”, Tibetan Buddhist communities (Asian or Western) are usually followers of a particular Lama (Rinpoche). Rarely do these communities convene together unless a “higher” Lama is in attendence. In the DC Metropolitan area, the Theravadan temples are predominantly managed and attended by Southeast Asian emigrants and their descendents. No attempts are generally made to provide or translate material, ceremonies,etc., into English. (I have seen some movement in the exchange of ceremonies between Tibetan Buddhist and Vietnamese temples with translators so this is good news.) There are “integrated” Zen monasteries all over California and the western US, so rejoice for the Zen practitioners, even if some of those monasteries require Asian cultural practices, which seem less than needed in the quest for Liberation.
Still, if I were a teacher, I would advise you, me, and anyone else that any “tribal-oriented” or culturally-bases viewpoint is a problem for our practice. Ask Thich Nacht Hanh or the Dalai Lama whether tribalism or a particular cultural practice is required or even helpful in the search for Liberation. I doubt they would agree that it is. (I wonder if there are “Americantowns” in China. Probably.) Ultimately, there is no Tibet, Vietnam, USA, China, India, etc. In a billion years, there will (I assume) be no trace of those countries or cultures, but, unless we liberate ourselves, with the help (hopefully) of our teachers, through meditation practice here and now, we will still be there and then, complaining about some cultural tendency or lack or need. Happy New Year!

Asha KumarJanuary 29, 2014 at 8:34 AM
Hi Arun,

I stumbled upon your blog through Tricycle. I am a practitioner of Yoga and as a South Asian resent the colonization of yoga and the cultural squatting that goes on around it…I resent the pop zen and ohm groupies! I started an FB page Yogawithasha and have diligently tried to showcase brown yogis on it…No offense to some really good non-brown yogis out there 🙂

AnonymousJanuary 29, 2014 at 5:43 PM
Cheers, AAB! Refreshing to find an alternative viewpoint on the buddhawebs. Me: white, interested in Buddhism since visiting Nepal and Cambodia, but very uninterested in the “westernized” version of the same. Not necessarily because of it’s “whiteness”, but because of it’s intellectual and ideological homogeny. Too much New Age Political Correctness can be fatally boring, y’know? It’s only recently that I stumbled onto Shin Buddhism which some may accuse of being similarly monocultural (read: Japanese) but seems to tolerate a much wider variety of perspectives (read: I won’t get kicked out of the sangha for shopping at WalMart). Ever onwards!

AnonymousJuly 4, 2014 at 4:49 PM
BTW, I’m a white guy that believes in “Engaged Buddhism.”

I never felt comfortable in any temple I visited. They felt like the Dharma grafted on Western culture. Like taking the umami out of a recipe. Just my opinion.

So what happened? One day not too long ago my next-door neighbor (a Vietnamese immigrant much like many of my other neighbors including on the other side of my home) and I were talking about something and I mentioned the Eightfold path. She was surprised. I pointed over to Buddha in my front yard “subduing Mara”, my favorite pose to which I explained why. She was a bit more surprised and please. While we have always been friendly and helpful to each other over the years we never communicated on this level before. I told her I too was a Buddhist but didn’t attend a temple because I found American-style Buddhism “irritating” and unnatural. She quickly invited me to her temple right down the street from us and I said yes.

The first time was strange. Everything in Vietnamese which I knew a little from helping my friends and neighbors over the years but not nearly enough. It was nice but I felt like I was imposing on something special. But still, what they did for the Vietnamese immigrant and Vietnamese-American community was very respectful. An oasis of calm in a sea of chaos.

Every quarter my wife and I each choose a worthy cause to make a donation to and I chose the temple. While I really didn’t go anymore I very much respected what they did so I gave the check to my neighbor to give to the temple. Nga, a sweet and kind person, wasn’t going to just take the check and forget about it like I thought. She arranged for me to give the check to the master who welcomed me [to the temple] with a Buddha and study materials. It seems I wasn’t imposing.

So where am I today, a few months on? I live “engaged Buddhism” by serving a kind and wise sư phụ và cô who I help with their tiếng Anh và US citizenship test and they are teaching me
tiếng Việt and the Dharma. I also fix their computers which they are grateful for. I couldn’t be happier. The example the sangha leads something I didn’t expect. They truly “walk the walk, talk the talk.” BTW it was sư phụ that gave me the name Phố Mình. Again, she is very kind.

How am I “engaged?” IMO “engaged Buddhism” doesn’t work without the Buddhism part. IMO it worked in Việt Nam in the 1960’s because you had the latter. People need to first see the dukkha which they don’t and I’m not the one to teach them. That’s what the pros are for so I happily serve them as they teach the Dharma and hold together a community I respect and care about. They have been my friends and neighbors for years. I’m also expected every Sunday for language lessons. A bit weird being the only adult but I don’t say no to a cô, they’re better than us.

So yes, I agree and recommend the reverse: learn the language and let the pros lead. Keep as much of the Asian in it as you possibly can. If you do you will be respected by those around you for respecting them and their [awesome] culture. BTW, the most I do in the temple proper is help put the cushions out on Sundays which is totally cool by me. I let the pros lead.

Thank you for your blog.

Nam Mô A di đà Phật (something I really embrace)

MOctober 13, 2014 at 7:45 PM
So you’re an anti-white racist.

Got it. And fuck you.

Sincerely,
Angry Aryan Buddhist

Replies

Mas SallehFebruary 11, 2016 at 8:50 AM
The guy only complaining how asian buddhist got sidelined by white buddhist and yet you accuse him of being anti white racist?!
Typical response from a white dude…Go ahead and accuse me of being anti white racist.

Derek LambadaMay 10, 2016 at 4:01 AM
I’m afraid you are.

By extending the perceived actions of a few privileged people (that you perceive to be white) to ‘white’ buddhists as a group, you are exhibiting racism far more clearly than the people you are complaining about.

Just by saying ‘…by white buddhist (sic)’
and ‘typical… …from a white dude’
Shows unequivocally that you are a racist.

It’s sad how warped things have become that people think that racism only counts if it’s directed against people who aren’t white.

AnonymousFebruary 14, 2015 at 7:35 AM
Hi Arun,

I’ve just found your blog, and I’m very glad I did. I’m an American Buddhist of Chinese and European Jewish descent. I currently live in France and study and volunteer at Dhagpo Kagyu Ling, which is a center in the Tibetan Karma Kagyu tradition. I hardly ever know what to make of all these intersections but I’m glad to encounter some one else who is talking about the situation intelligently and critically without, despite the title, being very angry.

So far, I’ve had a hard time getting a handle on the Buddhist blogging community (I got into blogging through food blogging, which is, obviously, a whole other animal as well as being a very huge and fairly cohesive entity), but I’m very interested in getting to know and connecting with people who are present and consistent in the Buddhist blogosphere.

Thanks, and all the best!

-Jourdie

SaraFebruary 9, 2016 at 12:21 AM
You should sit still with your anger. Indulging anger is not Right Speech, nor is it keeping the Precepts.

From the Sutra of Brahma’s net.

NINTH PRECEPT:

On feeding anger and hardheartedness.

“Disciples of the Buddha, should you maintain
anger against someone, encourage another to nourish
hatred, deliberately stir up anger, or participate in any way in such behavior, you are committing a serious offense warranting exclusion. As a Bodhisattva, pray cultivate in all beings the roots of goodness as well as the absence of controversy and disputatiousness. Continually awaken in yourself a compassionate heart, as well as respect and dutifulness. If, on the contrary, should you start to revile, insult, or abuse another being—even were it a most wicked one—or, worse still, if in your anger you should strike another with your hand, a stick, or a sword, you are committing a serious offense warranting exclusion. The same holds true should you not let go of your anger after the person you are dealing with has apologized and expressed his regrets in mild words.”

In the Sutra of the Buddha’s bequeathed teachings:

“Patience is a virtue which neither upholding the precepts nor the ascetic practices are able to compare with.

“One who is able to practice patience can be called a great person who has strength; If you are unable to happily and patiently undergo the poison of malicious abuse, as if drinking sweet dew, you cannot be called a wise person who has entered the Way.

“Why is this?

“The harm from anger ruins all good dharmas and destroys one’s good reputation.”

Replies

Heather DunnApril 23, 2016 at 4:27 PM
I think we’re a long ways away from the day White Buddhists apologize and express our regrets in mild words. I see nothing Arun has written that reviles, insults or abuses us. The insult would be to keep his mouth shut and expect no better of us. We can outgrow this, and Arun is being deeply respectful (and patient) by showing us how. Don’t be fooled by the name of the blog. If he’s hitting us with the dharma stick, it’s because he loves us enough to try and wake us up.

Jane BraatenFebruary 29, 2016 at 10:28 AM
Huh. You’re right about how ‘American’ and ‘Western’ Buddhists are pictured. Thanks. That’s pretty revealing!

Greyson DDMarch 28, 2017 at 7:02 PM
Interesting, the comments you’ve received. I actually would have expected more. Good for you to speak up!

I travel a great deal and see this issue all over the world. Its really part of the human condition. I became an American Buddhist many years ago. A small group of friends joined me in learning about Buddhism and attended some Buddhist gatherings at missions in California and in Hawaii. The difficulty was exactly what you are experiencing but in reverse. They were predominantly asian and would not really acknowledge the American white folks that were wanting to join them, learn from them and engage with them.

As I’ve lived and worked all over the world I see people in one country not including, or not acknowledging others who come from other countries. Whether they are English, French, German, Italian or Asian, they seem to treat each other as outsiders.
Let your words carry throughout the Buddhists communities and also around the world as a whole.

African Philosophy Ubuntu-
I am who I am because of who we all are!

We are all one and we need to be celebrating each other, and loving each other.

Thanks Arun for your message here!
Grey

One thought on “Why I’m Angry”

angryblog_rbz7rz says:

December 18, 2019 at 7:06 pm

Archivist’s Note: Comments have been preserved from the original website for archival purposes; however, comments are now closed.

AndreMay 18, 2010 at 9:44 AM
Hi Arun

This is my first visit to your blog. After having read a few of your posts I understand why you are angry. I have been completely ignorant of these issues. I live in SA, so I’m not always up to speed with US Buddhist matters.

I have bookmarked your blog, it seems a good place to visit.

AnonymousMay 19, 2010 at 2:42 PM
Hi Arun,
Just found this blog. Should be fun to see what types of responses you receive. There’s definitely a need for a blog (if not multiple blogs) like yours. I commend you for starting this trend! Happy writing!

AnonymousMay 19, 2010 at 3:54 PM
Hello,

It’s definitely good to have blogs like this around to challenge the establishment, so keep up the good work. 🙂

Matthew GindinMay 20, 2010 at 9:38 AM
Keep up the good work. I couldn’t agree with your general criticism of the “american buddhist community” more. I’m a Canadian Buddhist of British and Ashkenazi Jewish descent. I lived in a large predominantly Thai Buddhist community in California for three years….reading Tricycle you’d think every North American Buddhist was an aging baby-boomer, with maybe a few younger caucasian punks, gen-xers, and information age whiz-kids, and the occasional African American. Missing from this picture is a real attempt to include the contemporary voices of Asian communities in North America.
Thank you
Matthew (http://mgindin.typepad.com/prakriti/)

MichaelMay 23, 2010 at 4:09 AM
I can dig it. Just because we’re seeking peace on this path, doesn’t mean we can’t ask for a little justice.

michael j
Conshohocken, PA USA

Aaron’s Buddhism BlogMay 29, 2010 at 7:40 AM
Right on, man. I’m glad to see that there are people out there speakin’ the truth about the diversity of American traditions and communities. Big fan of the blog, btw 🙂

Aaron
Yokohama, Japan

XentisJuly 17, 2010 at 7:37 PM
As a Hispanic American and a Nichiren Buddhist, I can imagine – perhaps foresee – a day when The Children of the Sun of Asia and the miscegenated Children of the Sun from Mexico will accomplish a Buddhist conversion of the nation. Nichiren Buddhism says that there are no coincidences. I believe that “La Raza Cosmica” and kosen-rufu will go hand in hand if only someone is willing to expound the Dharma to the Hispanic community.

If you look at mixed marriages in the US, it’s easy to see that European Americans are gradually breeding themselves into extinction, or at least into another form. And Hispanics are the apparently the number one choice, even for the most racists of white Americans. If an Asian-Hispanic bond can be formed through faith, I suspect that the presumptuous arrogance of white American culture will have no choice but to gradually give way.

Dwellers in the heavenly realm often do not realize that they are falling into the lower worlds until it’s too late. Perhaps the things that make you angry might change or “go the way of the Romans,” que no?..


Asha KumarJanuary 29, 2014 at 8:31 AM
I like the way you think…

DaisyDeadheadJuly 22, 2010 at 9:57 AM
This post is awesome. I did not realize the issue with Tricycle, until you mentioned it. Of course, I see it now.

As an old lefty, I find myself embarrassed to join the ranks of the trendy white converts to Buddhism… so I kind of the opposite of what you are talking about. I continuously worry that I am culturally appropriating/stealing. I am very sensitive to charges of colonialism… Edward Said’s ghost is whispering in my ear, keeping me honest. 🙂

For example, after reading this post of yours, I went back over MY last post, I now see a problem with it. But not editing it out, since I don’t believe in (as I have said many times) engaging in Stalinist rewrites of history. But the line I wrote: On some level, I find Westerners who claim Eastern religions to be pretentious and silly; tourists of the soul. I wish now that I had added the word “white” before “Westerner”–I was speaking of Western religious backgrounds specifically. But I see that this erasure is a serious matter that must be rectified.

Also, throwing out another view that you may not have thought of: Converts always think they have it “right”–or can do it better than the people “raised” in a particular belief-system. I have seen this in all branches of Christianity and in Islam. New Catholics always think the folk-piety of cradle Catholics (“weird” devotions like the Infant of Prague, Our Lady of Guadalupe, etc) is bizarre ethnic stuff and can easily be abandoned/overlooked by the newbies. They don’t understand everything about these ancient devotions, and those “born into” the faith don’t always have the words to translate. I mean, such translations were never NECESSARY before, so explaining what such things have historically meant is very trying and very tiring.

I am so, so curious about what many Buddhist traditions mean, what they are from. But I have found that most white Western (convert) Buddhists have a similar attitude: ohhhh, that silly folk-piety from the old ladies! (Well, yeah, since I am an old lady, I am VERY interested in what the OLD LADIES are doing, thanks!)

Adding you to my blog roll, and thanks for being here.

StarSeptember 7, 2010 at 6:24 AM
Interesting. But. When I talk about Western Buddhism I am not talking about where the individuals come from or even live, but about a sort of “mutt” Buddhism in which the adherents dabble in a variety of traditions or go it alone, and are now coming together to form some new way of accessing the Buddha’s teaching. Usually these are individuals who have left some other religious tradition behind — be it Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, or some other variety — then making a choice to explore Buddhism’s varieties.

StarSeptember 7, 2010 at 6:35 AM
And have you seen this?

http://www.angryasianbuddhist.com/

AnonymousSeptember 11, 2010 at 1:04 PM
The Angry Asian Man, as you mention the post, seems to also get questions of why he is “angry”. A guest blogger on Angry Asian Man has recently contributed an awesome post on “who’s allowed to be angry”. I thought you might find it interesting.

Angry Asian Man link: http://blog.angryasianman.com/2010/09/guest-post-whos-allowed-to-be-angry.html

quang.n.dangSeptember 20, 2010 at 10:11 PM
First of all, Arun, I am sorry you’re angry. As for me, I am Asian and I am not angry at all. I am sad though. The reason is, with the way Buddhism is mostly practiced in Asia (As well as by the majority of Asians living in the West), Buddhism is meant to fade away. Buddhism of non-Asians in the West is mostly practiced through intelligently learning and understanding the Buddha’s teachings and through regular meditation (In part, thanks to the clear teachings of Zen master like Thich Nhat Hanh). Buddhism in Asia is commonly practiced through reciting the Buddha’s teachings (For most without fully understanding them) and through begging him as a Godly figure hoping for favors.
If Buddhism in Asia does not wake up and change its way, it will go into hibernation or vahish.

Also, I have never felt offended, discriminated against or victimized by the behavior of non-Asian Buddhists. Not even once. I am very thankful to all in the West who have opened their mind to welcome the compassionate, peaceful and non-violent teachings of the Buddha. It gives me hope for a better world.
Sincerely,
Quang Dang

AnonymousOctober 10, 2010 at 12:27 PM
I can understand your anger at being excluded, and I agree with you that it is absurd not to find lots of Asians in Buddhist periodicals.

Also, the PBS program, called “The Buddha,” which aired a few months back, had almost no Asian commentators. I was appalled! Almost all the people talking about the Buddha were white!

Let me tell you that discrimination cuts both ways.

I am white, American, and studying Buddhism. I asked an Asian friend if I could come to her temple. Said no. She told me I would not be welcome because I am white, and that the Asian-Americans attending services would not like it if I showed up. She said this was very likely true of all Asian Buddhist temples in the area, and that the Asian communities around here are very insular.

Some of us non-Asians meet and study only with non-Asians because we have no choice. I at least was fortunate to be at a meeting led by 2 Tibetans, but they do not live here, they were just passing through.

I would love to study with Asian Buddhists, and learn from them, but do not have the option to do so at this time. I am polite and respectful, but, I am also white.

GMarch 13, 2011 at 8:02 PM
I’m Asian American and I am Buddhist. I am shocked and disappointed with the treatment some of you have experienced. There are several different sects of Buddhism. I belong to the Buddhist Church of Florin in Sacramento, CA. We are of the Shin or True Pure Land sect, the largest and most popular sect in Japan.

At my church, we have a very diverse congregation…Japanese, African Americans, Chinese, Italians, Phillipinos, Mexican, and many caucasian members who I do not know their specific ethnicity. We open our doors to ANYONE who is interested in learning about Buddhism…we are one BIG happy family.

It saddens my greatly, some of you have not experienced the “open arms” policy we have. If you are in the Sacramento, CA area…please stop by ~ we will love for you to come!

AriMarch 19, 2011 at 9:28 PM
Glad to wander across your blog. :-). I’m a new, unaffiliated practioner, and am still learning much. It saddens me to read that others limited understanding contributes to perpetuating white privilege. Having come from that world of privilege I’m trying to become more aware of my habituated responses.

I’m excited to begin reading what you’ve generously decided to share in your blog entries. And I wanted to express my gratitude that you are willing to share this. I hope to learn much, and progress as a more compassionate person.

Thank you. 🙂

NinaSeptember 21, 2011 at 12:35 PM
Dear Arun,

You have no idea how happy this blog makes me. In fact, I almost started a blog with practically the same title a few years ago!

Seriously friend, we should connect. We have so much to talk about!

Much peace and solidarity,
Nina – an Angry Asian (Sherpa) Buddhist

PS: You have Losar on your calendar. THANK YOU.

AnonymousFebruary 7, 2012 at 2:01 PM
Yeah, I understand what it feels like to be angry! As an Anglo practitioner in a mostly Taiwaneese Zen temple…I completely understand what it is like to be the recipient of attrocious, spiteful racist behavior! Although I know how fashionable it is to attack “white”people as the ONLY perpetrators of prejudice, I know from experience that racism flows in All directions…. FOOD FOR THOUGHT

AnonymousDecember 28, 2012 at 4:31 AM
Maybe usful:

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/thanissaro/karma.html

Don’t wast to much time with anger and investigate the cause.

persephoneApril 5, 2013 at 5:47 AM
Wow this is very interesting and shocking. I had no idea about this. It seems ‘Western Buddhism’ is rather behind when it comes to racism and perhaps also feminism. I would be fascinated to read a book on the role of Asian Americans in American Buddhism and other stories that have not been told. Have you thought about writing a book?

CatherineApril 29, 2013 at 6:21 PM
I practice Buddhism and am white. I am curious, what do you think someone like me should do to encourage others to appreciate the fact that the lineage of Buddhism comes from Asians? I thought is was a well known fact that Buddhism is a predominately Asian religion.

As for your argument, although I can understand where your indignation comes from, think about the demographics of America; almost 75% of America is made up of whites. Although whites who are interested in Buddhism are probably not the type of person to reject learning the dharma from Asians, maybe some whites feel like if they show interest in Buddhism and become active in a sangha they will be rejected by Asian Buddhists for being white. If they felt ostracized, or even anticipated it, it makes sense that some whites might find other white Buddhists to associate with. I agree with Persephone though, perhaps you could write a book to explain the important role of Asians in Buddhist America; I’d buy it!

AnonymousDecember 25, 2013 at 12:47 PM
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

Paul F. StevensonJanuary 4, 2014 at 12:13 PM
Curious viewpoint. Mine is almost the reverse, so there may be common ground. Buddhism would probably never enjoyed its current growth if it were not for the Asian refugees that emigrated to the USA. Still, there are issues. For example, I rejoice that there is a Tibetan Buddhist nunnery in Washington, but it is the only TB monastery in the US. that is predominantly full of non-Asian men or women. Even “worse”, Tibetan Buddhist communities (Asian or Western) are usually followers of a particular Lama (Rinpoche). Rarely do these communities convene together unless a “higher” Lama is in attendence. In the DC Metropolitan area, the Theravadan temples are predominantly managed and attended by Southeast Asian emigrants and their descendents. No attempts are generally made to provide or translate material, ceremonies,etc., into English. (I have seen some movement in the exchange of ceremonies between Tibetan Buddhist and Vietnamese temples with translators so this is good news.) There are “integrated” Zen monasteries all over California and the western US, so rejoice for the Zen practitioners, even if some of those monasteries require Asian cultural practices, which seem less than needed in the quest for Liberation.
Still, if I were a teacher, I would advise you, me, and anyone else that any “tribal-oriented” or culturally-bases viewpoint is a problem for our practice. Ask Thich Nacht Hanh or the Dalai Lama whether tribalism or a particular cultural practice is required or even helpful in the search for Liberation. I doubt they would agree that it is. (I wonder if there are “Americantowns” in China. Probably.) Ultimately, there is no Tibet, Vietnam, USA, China, India, etc. In a billion years, there will (I assume) be no trace of those countries or cultures, but, unless we liberate ourselves, with the help (hopefully) of our teachers, through meditation practice here and now, we will still be there and then, complaining about some cultural tendency or lack or need. Happy New Year!

Asha KumarJanuary 29, 2014 at 8:34 AM
Hi Arun,

I stumbled upon your blog through Tricycle. I am a practitioner of Yoga and as a South Asian resent the colonization of yoga and the cultural squatting that goes on around it…I resent the pop zen and ohm groupies! I started an FB page Yogawithasha and have diligently tried to showcase brown yogis on it…No offense to some really good non-brown yogis out there 🙂

AnonymousJanuary 29, 2014 at 5:43 PM
Cheers, AAB! Refreshing to find an alternative viewpoint on the buddhawebs. Me: white, interested in Buddhism since visiting Nepal and Cambodia, but very uninterested in the “westernized” version of the same. Not necessarily because of it’s “whiteness”, but because of it’s intellectual and ideological homogeny. Too much New Age Political Correctness can be fatally boring, y’know? It’s only recently that I stumbled onto Shin Buddhism which some may accuse of being similarly monocultural (read: Japanese) but seems to tolerate a much wider variety of perspectives (read: I won’t get kicked out of the sangha for shopping at WalMart). Ever onwards!

AnonymousJuly 4, 2014 at 4:49 PM
BTW, I’m a white guy that believes in “Engaged Buddhism.”

I never felt comfortable in any temple I visited. They felt like the Dharma grafted on Western culture. Like taking the umami out of a recipe. Just my opinion.

So what happened? One day not too long ago my next-door neighbor (a Vietnamese immigrant much like many of my other neighbors including on the other side of my home) and I were talking about something and I mentioned the Eightfold path. She was surprised. I pointed over to Buddha in my front yard “subduing Mara”, my favorite pose to which I explained why. She was a bit more surprised and please. While we have always been friendly and helpful to each other over the years we never communicated on this level before. I told her I too was a Buddhist but didn’t attend a temple because I found American-style Buddhism “irritating” and unnatural. She quickly invited me to her temple right down the street from us and I said yes.

The first time was strange. Everything in Vietnamese which I knew a little from helping my friends and neighbors over the years but not nearly enough. It was nice but I felt like I was imposing on something special. But still, what they did for the Vietnamese immigrant and Vietnamese-American community was very respectful. An oasis of calm in a sea of chaos.

Every quarter my wife and I each choose a worthy cause to make a donation to and I chose the temple. While I really didn’t go anymore I very much respected what they did so I gave the check to my neighbor to give to the temple. Nga, a sweet and kind person, wasn’t going to just take the check and forget about it like I thought. She arranged for me to give the check to the master who welcomed me [to the temple] with a Buddha and study materials. It seems I wasn’t imposing.

So where am I today, a few months on? I live “engaged Buddhism” by serving a kind and wise sư phụ và cô who I help with their tiếng Anh và US citizenship test and they are teaching me
tiếng Việt and the Dharma. I also fix their computers which they are grateful for. I couldn’t be happier. The example the sangha leads something I didn’t expect. They truly “walk the walk, talk the talk.” BTW it was sư phụ that gave me the name Phố Mình. Again, she is very kind.

How am I “engaged?” IMO “engaged Buddhism” doesn’t work without the Buddhism part. IMO it worked in Việt Nam in the 1960’s because you had the latter. People need to first see the dukkha which they don’t and I’m not the one to teach them. That’s what the pros are for so I happily serve them as they teach the Dharma and hold together a community I respect and care about. They have been my friends and neighbors for years. I’m also expected every Sunday for language lessons. A bit weird being the only adult but I don’t say no to a cô, they’re better than us.

So yes, I agree and recommend the reverse: learn the language and let the pros lead. Keep as much of the Asian in it as you possibly can. If you do you will be respected by those around you for respecting them and their [awesome] culture. BTW, the most I do in the temple proper is help put the cushions out on Sundays which is totally cool by me. I let the pros lead.

Thank you for your blog.

Nam Mô A di đà Phật (something I really embrace)

MOctober 13, 2014 at 7:45 PM
So you’re an anti-white racist.

Got it. And fuck you.

Sincerely,
Angry Aryan Buddhist


Mas SallehFebruary 11, 2016 at 8:50 AM
The guy only complaining how asian buddhist got sidelined by white buddhist and yet you accuse him of being anti white racist?!
Typical response from a white dude…Go ahead and accuse me of being anti white racist.

Derek LambadaMay 10, 2016 at 4:01 AM
I’m afraid you are.

By extending the perceived actions of a few privileged people (that you perceive to be white) to ‘white’ buddhists as a group, you are exhibiting racism far more clearly than the people you are complaining about.

Just by saying ‘…by white buddhist (sic)’
and ‘typical… …from a white dude’
Shows unequivocally that you are a racist.

It’s sad how warped things have become that people think that racism only counts if it’s directed against people who aren’t white.

AnonymousFebruary 14, 2015 at 7:35 AM
Hi Arun,

I’ve just found your blog, and I’m very glad I did. I’m an American Buddhist of Chinese and European Jewish descent. I currently live in France and study and volunteer at Dhagpo Kagyu Ling, which is a center in the Tibetan Karma Kagyu tradition. I hardly ever know what to make of all these intersections but I’m glad to encounter some one else who is talking about the situation intelligently and critically without, despite the title, being very angry.

So far, I’ve had a hard time getting a handle on the Buddhist blogging community (I got into blogging through food blogging, which is, obviously, a whole other animal as well as being a very huge and fairly cohesive entity), but I’m very interested in getting to know and connecting with people who are present and consistent in the Buddhist blogosphere.

Thanks, and all the best!

-Jourdie

SaraFebruary 9, 2016 at 12:21 AM
You should sit still with your anger. Indulging anger is not Right Speech, nor is it keeping the Precepts.

From the Sutra of Brahma’s net.

NINTH PRECEPT:

On feeding anger and hardheartedness.

“Disciples of the Buddha, should you maintain
anger against someone, encourage another to nourish
hatred, deliberately stir up anger, or participate in any way in such behavior, you are committing a serious offense warranting exclusion. As a Bodhisattva, pray cultivate in all beings the roots of goodness as well as the absence of controversy and disputatiousness. Continually awaken in yourself a compassionate heart, as well as respect and dutifulness. If, on the contrary, should you start to revile, insult, or abuse another being—even were it a most wicked one—or, worse still, if in your anger you should strike another with your hand, a stick, or a sword, you are committing a serious offense warranting exclusion. The same holds true should you not let go of your anger after the person you are dealing with has apologized and expressed his regrets in mild words.”

In the Sutra of the Buddha’s bequeathed teachings:

“Patience is a virtue which neither upholding the precepts nor the ascetic practices are able to compare with.

“One who is able to practice patience can be called a great person who has strength; If you are unable to happily and patiently undergo the poison of malicious abuse, as if drinking sweet dew, you cannot be called a wise person who has entered the Way.

“Why is this?

“The harm from anger ruins all good dharmas and destroys one’s good reputation.”


Heather DunnApril 23, 2016 at 4:27 PM
I think we’re a long ways away from the day White Buddhists apologize and express our regrets in mild words. I see nothing Arun has written that reviles, insults or abuses us. The insult would be to keep his mouth shut and expect no better of us. We can outgrow this, and Arun is being deeply respectful (and patient) by showing us how. Don’t be fooled by the name of the blog. If he’s hitting us with the dharma stick, it’s because he loves us enough to try and wake us up.

Jane BraatenFebruary 29, 2016 at 10:28 AM
Huh. You’re right about how ‘American’ and ‘Western’ Buddhists are pictured. Thanks. That’s pretty revealing!

Greyson DDMarch 28, 2017 at 7:02 PM
Interesting, the comments you’ve received. I actually would have expected more. Good for you to speak up!

I travel a great deal and see this issue all over the world. Its really part of the human condition. I became an American Buddhist many years ago. A small group of friends joined me in learning about Buddhism and attended some Buddhist gatherings at missions in California and in Hawaii. The difficulty was exactly what you are experiencing but in reverse. They were predominantly asian and would not really acknowledge the American white folks that were wanting to join them, learn from them and engage with them.

As I’ve lived and worked all over the world I see people in one country not including, or not acknowledging others who come from other countries. Whether they are English, French, German, Italian or Asian, they seem to treat each other as outsiders.
Let your words carry throughout the Buddhists communities and also around the world as a whole.

African Philosophy Ubuntu-
I am who I am because of who we all are!

We are all one and we need to be celebrating each other, and loving each other.

Thanks Arun for your message here!
Grey

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