“Very awesome. Honestly, I was not expecting somebody so young and modern. Again, very awesome.” One student shared his/her reflection on Master Jian Dan’s talk today.
Humorous Monk
“I visited Los Angeles last summer. My disciple asked if I like to go to Disney Land. I immediately rejected this idea. I was afraid that if I go, tourists would think I am one of the new cartoon characters, probably from Mulian, and everyone would want to take a picture with me!”
Students laughed and right away Master grabbed their attention and interest. These students are talking an undergraduate class about “Asian Religions in America” at the University of Houston. Today Master was the invited guest speaker. The class instructor invited Master to talk about the practice of Buddhism in America, how it differs from traditional Buddhist practice--challenges, possibilities, and differences between American and Asian students.
Dispelling Misconceptions
Master first pointed out several misconceptions people have about Buddhism: Buddhists live in seclusion, Buddhism is passive and negative, and Buddhist’s precepts are restrictive. Through stories and logical reasoning, Master explained that these concepts are far from the truth. Master also shared some of the challenges he has faced when trying to spread Buddhism in America. For example, his has to change his teaching style to use more illustration, live demos, and hands-on practice. Nevertheless, as a relatively new concept, Buddhism also has found its way into America. With its fluid nature, Buddhism has been successfully adapted to local cultures. We can see today that we have Chinese Buddhism, Japanese Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism and so forth. Master predicts that there will be a new form of “American Buddhism” that is integrated with American pop culture. While talking about localization, Master made another joke. “If I ever became homeless and needed to beg for food, don’t be surprised to drive by an intersection and see me holding a sign that reads ‘Templeless, Vegetarian only!’”
Questions?
After the talk, students were eager to ask questions. One student wanted to know what was the biggest temptation Master has faced in American that has forced him to break his precepts? Master explained again that he always asked and tried to understand the reasons behind each precept. As long as he still adheres to the core value of the precept, he always adjust accordingly. For example, in Chinese Buddhism, monks should not have body contact with another person. However, he has to make adjustment as in the west, handshaking is considered polite and giving a hug is customary. Another student questioned how far should a religion change in order to survive locally? This student feared that when a religion, such as Buddhism, adopting and changing from culture to culture, will lose its original form. Master concurred. He was also afraid to see Buddhism losing its core values in this process of localization.
Good time always passes too quickly. Many students still had questions to ask. One student wrote on her reflection, “It was interesting – do you know from early on when you are destined to be a monk? Do you always get provided for? What do you think of people who adhere to a religion with a God And Buddhism? Wish we had more time!”
Survey Said...
Here are some things the students said about today’s talk, as collected by anonymous surveys.
1. What was the most interesting thing you learned today? Why?
- The great sense of humor the monk had and the way he deals with American society. The way he approaches Buddhist practice
- I just had a different concept about a monk. I thought he would be older and serious, but this monk was young and very funny. Some of misconceptions were cleared
- The difference b/w Chinese and American young society
- I had never considered that America would likely develop its own form of Buddhism, but it makes a lot of sense
- How integrated the monk was in technology. He had an IM account & cellphone
- That monks have modern ideas about today’s culture – technology – there is no need to isolate yourself
- That Buddhism is not a religion to the monk but it’s just a way of life. And that monks are very modern. Because learning that made me kind of question the uniqueness and the originality that Buddhism had.
2. What was one new concept you heard today that was difficult to accept/agree? Why?
- I am not a fan of reincarnation and I have a hard time with it. I don’t really understand it. It doesn’t sit well with me
- Personal concept of gay marriage. It is not what I am used to growing up with and disagrees with my religious view, but I understand his reasoning
- The monks don’t follow all 250 precepts – then why are they there? At what point can you decide whether or not they are still relevant?
- There was nothing that offended me.
- Cannot eat meat and some vegetables.
- I find it hard to agree that reincarnation can cause “confusion” in the sex (female & male) and that the definition of it is the character of a person because I think physical aspect of a person is very important too and it kind of confuses me how pervious life can affect “this life” when only the present matters.
3. What was the one thing presented today that you might like to explore further? Why?
- Meditation and calming the mind. Learning to live my life fully as someone who is comfortable with myself and living in the present.
- Very interesting analogy with the power and water and a clustered mind. Want to look further into meditation.
- I would have liked to hear more about meditation methods
- How Buddhism is developing in America
- I like the concept of how Buddhism is adaptable, how it is different in each culture.
- Live for the present. If you have a good cause now then there will be a good future.
4. Overall reflection on today's talk.
- I enjoyed it. I am very interested in Buddhism and find it interesting and beautiful. I have lived in a Buddhist monastery for a few months and really am interested in practicing it.
- Very entertaining and informative. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
- Better than last semester’s talk, very compassionate being very enjoyable to listen to.
- I enjoyed the talk. The monk helped dispel some of the misconceptions at what Buddhism is. Also that you keeps precepts to keep your mind clear.
