American Buddhism As A Way Of Life (suny Series In Buddhism And American Culture)

__Explores a range of Buddhist perspectives in a distinctly American context.__ Explores a range of Buddhist perspectives in a distinctly American context. The United States is becoming more comfortable with Buddhism each year. Celebrity converts, the popularity of the Dalai Lama, a stream of references in popular culture, and mala beads on every third persons wrist all indicate that Buddhism is becoming an accepted part of American life, even if a relatively small percentage of the population actually describes itself as Buddhist. This book investigates the ways in which Buddhist and American ways of life have inflected one another. Gary Storhoff and John Whalen-Bridge have organized this unique collection in accordance with the Buddhist concept of the Three the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. Buddha discusses two key teachers who popularized Alan Watts and D. T. Suzuki, correlating their personal situations with the approaches to spirituality they proclaimed. Dharma is concerned with the impact of Buddhist ideas and texts on the most pressing social problems faced by Americans, including bioethics, abortion, end-of-life decisions, and identity theft. Sangha treats Buddhism in relation to social relationships, with chapters on family life, generational shifts, Asian American communities, the gay/straight divide, and Buddhist artistic practicessuch as the making of a Zen gardenused to strengthen communal bonds. an original, representative, and thoroughly informative look at American Buddhism introducing itself into and becoming an accepted part of American life. CHOICE The title of the book is quite appropriate, for it does not delve into Buddhism as a religion, but explores ways Buddhism has come to shape the way many Americans think and act. Already it is obvious that a great range of topics could be explored, and the editors present a remarkable variety of essays. Studies in American Culture I like the range of topics, particularly those that are not usually considered in Buddhist studies, such as Buddhism and the family. The book provides a number of valuable new perspectives that help to deepen our understanding of American Buddhism. David Landis Barnhill, coeditor of Deep Ecology and World New Essays on Sacred Ground Explores a range of Buddhist perspectives in a distinctly American context. The US seems to be becoming a Buddhist country. Celebrity converts, the popularity of the Dalai Lama, motifs in popular movies, and mala beads at the mall indicate an increasing inculcation of Buddhism into the American consciousness, even if a relatively small percentage of the population actually describe themselves as Buddhists. This book looks beyond the trendier manifestations of Buddhism in America to look at distinctly American Buddhist ways of life—ways of perceiving and understanding. John Whalen-Bridge and Gary Storhoff have organized this unique collection in accordance with the Buddhist concept of the Three Jewels: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. The Buddha section discusses the two key teachers who popularized Buddhism in America: Alan Watts and D. T. Suzuki and the particular kinds of spirituality they proclaimed. The Dharma section deals with how Buddhism can enlighten current public debates and a consideration of our national past with explorations of bioethics, abortion, end-of-life decisions, and consciousness in late capitalism. The final section on the Sangha, or community of believers, discusses how Buddhist communities both formal and informal have affected American society with chapters on family life, Nisei Buddhists, gay liberation, and Zen gardens. Gary Storhoff is Associate Professor of English at the University of Connecticut at Stamford. John Whalen-Bridge is Associate Professor of English at the National University of Singapore. They are the coeditors of The Emergence of Buddhist American Literature, also published by SUNY Press. American Buddhism as a Way of Life......Page 5 Contents......Page 9 In Memoriam, Roger Corless(1938–2007)......Page 11 Foreword......Page 13 Introduction. American Buddhism as a Way of Life......Page 15 Part I. Buddha: The Teacher as Immigrant......Page 25 1. The Authenticity of Alan Watts......Page 27 2. D. T. Suzuki, “Suzuki Zen,”and the American Reception of Zen Buddhism......Page 53 3. My Lunch with Mihoko......Page 71 Part II. Dharma: Doctrine, Belief, and Practice in America......Page 81 4. What Can Buddhist No-Self Contribute to North American Bioethics?......Page 83 5. A Contemporary North American Buddhist Discussion of Abortion......Page 97 6. Touched by Suffering: American Pragmatism and Engaged Buddhism......Page 115 7. Identity Theft: Simulating Nirvana in Postmodern America......Page 139 Part III. Sangha: Who Is an American Buddhist?......Page 163 8. Family Life and Spiritual Kinship in American Buddhist Communities......Page 165 9. Buddha Loves Me This I Know: Nisei Buddhists in Christian America, 1889–1942......Page 181 10.Analogue Consciousness: Isn’t Just for FaeriesHealing the Disjunction between Theory and Practice......Page 197 11. “A Dharma of Place”: Evolving Aesthetics and Cultivating Community in an American Zen Garden......Page 209 Contributors......Page 223 C......Page 227 J......Page 228 Q......Page 229 W......Page 230 Z......Page 231 Explores A Range Of Buddhist Perspectives In A Distinctly American Context. Foreward / Thomas A. Tweed -- Introduction : American Buddhism As A Way Of Life / Gary Storhoff And John Whalen-bridge -- The Authenticity Of Alan Watts / David L. Smith -- D.t. Suzuki, Suzuki Zen, And The American Reception Of Zen Buddhism / Carl T. Jackson -- My Lunch With Mihoko / Ellen Pearlman -- What Can Buddhist No-self Contribute To North American Bioethics? / Michael C. Brannigan -- A Contemporary North American Buddhist Discussion Of Abortion / Rita M. Gross -- Touched By Suffering : American Pragmatism And Engaged Buddhism / Judy D. Whipps -- Identity Theft : Stimulating Nirvana In Postmodern America / John Kitterman -- Family Life And Spiritual Kinship In American Buddhist Communities / Charles S. Prebish -- Buddha Loves Me This I Know : Nisei Buddhists In Christian America, 1889-1942 / Lori Pierce -- Analogue Consciousness Isn't Just For Faeries : Healing The Disjunction Between Theory And Practice / Roger Corless -- A Dharma Of Place : Evolving Aesthetics And Cultivating Community In An American Zen Garden / Jeff Wilson. Edited By Gary Storhoff And John Whalen-bridge. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.