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Japanese/Buddhist Culture. What it offers the West. Four lists

Articles, Daily Life / /

This blog includes family interest in Japanese culture, plus four lists of practices for the West.

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Japanese/Buddhist Culture. What it offers the West. Four lists Read More »

Interview 30 years ago (1994) with this blogger Mostly, a focus on Western Dharma and Sangha

Dharma Reflections / /

A Dharma teacher found online last month (November 2024) this interview held 30 years ago with this wallah in Jerusalem in 1994. – published in the Autumn issue of the Insight Journal of Barre Centre for Buddhist Studies and Insight Medication Society (IMS), MA, USA.

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Interview 30 years ago (1994) with this blogger Mostly, a focus on Western Dharma and SanghaRead More »

Interview 30 years ago (1994) with this blogger Mostly, a focus on Western Dharma and Sangha Read More »

What does the Dharma offer the West?

Dharma Reflections / /

I spent 10 years engaged in exploration of the spiritual, religious and cultural traditions of the East, including six years as a Buddhist monk. The privilege of listening, reflecting and meditating upon a range of teachings served as the backbone for a transmission of teachings from East to West. …

What does the Dharma offer the West?Read More »

What does the Dharma offer the West? Read More »

Is Islam a threat to Western civilisation or is the West the real threat to itself?

Articles, Dharma Reflections, Political / /

I have much  affection and respect for the Muslim communities. I had the opportunity in 1967 and after to travel to Muslim countries – Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Malaysia, Sumatra/Java (Indonesia) plus numerous annual visits to Palestine between 1993 to 2019. I learnt to appreciate the virtues and not deny the vices of the Muslim world. I take much the same view of the West – much to appreciate and much to feel deep concern about.

As a founder of Prajna Vihar School in Bodh Gaya, India in 1992, we begun an inter-religious school to cultivate harmony and understanding between teachers and young people of different faiths and secular beliefs. Action speaks louder than words.

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Is Islam a threat to Western civilisation or is the West the real threat to itself?Read More »

Is Islam a threat to Western civilisation or is the West the real threat to itself? Read More »

A Nose and a Hand-kerchief. Cultural Differences. Different Strokes for Different Folks

Articles / /
While teaching a residential course last week in the Pauenhof Buddhist Zentrum, in Germany, I heard a graphic example of differences in culture. I have expanded on it to make a point.
A person went to India and witnessed Indians blowing their nose with head pointing down to the ground – one finger on one nostril and then the other nostril.
The Westerner said to her travelling companion: “That’s disgusting.”
A little while later, a Westerner in India blew his nose into their handkerchief and then put their handkerchief back into their pocket.
An Indian turned to his companion and said: ” She put her handkerchief back into her pocket. That’s disgusting.”
To summarise: We easily jump to conclusions about the behaviour of another with no idea how our behaviour may appear to others.
From The Ballad of East and West by poet Rudyard Kiplin (1865-1936)
Oh, East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet,
Till Earth and Sky stand presently at God’s great Judgment Seat;
But there is neither East nor West, Border, nor Breed, nor Birth,
When two strong men stand face to face, though they come from the ends of the earth! |
Do you have an example of cultural differences?

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