The Dalai Lama - Is Buddhism Suitable for Westerners?

KINDNESS, CLARITY, AND INSIGHT
25th Anniversary Edition
by the Fourteenth Dalai Lama
His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso,
edited and translated by Jeffrey Hopkins,
co-edited by Elizabeth Napper
more...

Dalai Lama Quote of the Week

People sometimes ask me whether Buddhism--an ancient teaching which comes from the East--is suitable for Westerners or not. My answer is that the essence of all religions deals with basic human problems. As long as human beings, whether from the north, south, east, or west--white, black, yellow, or red--have the sufferings of birth, disease, old age, and death, all are equal in that respect. As long as these basic human sufferings are there, since the essential teaching is concerned with that suffering, there is not much question whether it is suitable or not.

Still, there is a question with regard to each individual's mental disposition. Some people are more fond of one food; others find another more suitable. Similarly, for some individuals a certain religion brings more benefit whereas in other cases another brings more benefit. Under the circumstances, the variety of teachings found in human society is necessary and useful, and among Westerners, no doubt there are people who find Buddhism suitable to their requirements.

...The essence of the Buddhist teachings does not change; wherever it goes it is suitable; however, the superficial aspects--certain rituals and ceremonies--are not necessarily suitable for a new environment; those things will change.... In any case, this generation--your generation--who are starting this new idea in new countries have a big responsibility to take the essence and adjust it to your own environment.

--from Kindness, Clarity, and Insight 25th Anniversary Edition by The Fourteenth Dalai Lama, His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso, edited and translated by Jeffrey Hopkins, co-edited by Elizabeth Napper, published by Snow Lion Publications

Tags: Buddhism, culture, Kindness, Clarity, Insight, 25th Anniversary Edition, The Fourteenth Dalai Lama, His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso, Jeffrey Hopkins, Elizabeth Napper, Snow Lion Publications, Western culture