Westward Dhammo! The Future of Buddhism in the West
Fall 1995 Vol. 12 #1
Fall 1995 Vol. 12 #1
Introduction
While collecting articles for this issue, we noticed that some contributors emphasize the importance of continuity and of holding to tradition, while others lean toward creating new forms particularly adapted to contemporary culture. Of course, the future of Buddhism lies with the young… we include voices of youth alongside those of long-time teachers.
Features
The well-loved Western monk Ajahn Amaro gives us a view of Western “retreat Buddhism,” as seen from the joyful perspective of monastic life.
Scholar and teacher Roger Walsh lays out fundamental issues, including possible benefits and dangers to explore as Buddhism comes to the Western world.
Twenty-five-year-old Josh Shrei describes spending his childhood at the Rochester Zen Center, where all his childhood fears, fantasies and games came wrapped in his own personal koan.
Twenty-eight-year-old Diana Winston explores, as a devoted Buddhist and meditator, how it feels to be somewhat alone among her peers .
Teacher and scholar Gil Fronsdal shares vital images and practices that many vipassana meditators in the West have overlooked.
Sandy Boucher, on her way to Beijing for the U.N. Women’s Conference, looks at how contemporary women practitioners are embodying dharma and bringing a new international consciousness to Western Buddhism.
Journalist and author Daniel Goleman discusses scientific findings that seem to corroborate traditional Buddhist understandings.
Jon Kabat-Zinn tells us about integrating mindfulness into programs at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and beyond.
Jack Miller reports on teaching meditation practice to school teachers.
Barbara Gates meditates on interconnectedness, compassion and violence—in the world, on her street and in her heart.
Through lovingkindness practice, Martha Ley finds peace in the midst of panic.
Poems & Not Poems
Reviews
The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha: A New Translation of the Majjhima Nikaya, translated by Bhikkhu Nanamoli and Bhikkhu Bodhi
Reviewed By Andrew Olendzki
(1,422 pp., Wisdom Publications, 1995)
(160 pp., Harper Collins, 1995)
Mindfulness and Meaningful Work: Explorations in Right Livelihood, edited by Claude Whitmyer
Reviewed By Nancy Van House
(286 pp., Parallax Press, 1994)
The Dharma & the Drama
When brain researchers discover that the “self” does not exist, Wes Nisker responds: Where have we heard that before?