The Kung Fu Nuns of Nepal

http://www.odditycentral.com/ ^ | 8/11/16 | staff

[Talisker]

:shrug:

What can I say? I’ve both read this and heard it myself from teachers. Long ago, though. If I can find it online I’ll post it.

[TigersEye]

It’s not that important but thanks for offering. It’s just that I’ve heard those accusations yet have seen none of it nor had it confirmed by those Tibetans I know in the 18 years I’ve been a Buddhist. Actually 22 years that I’ve been listening to my teacher’s stories.

[Talisker]

I don't know that I'd call them accusations. That's why I said cultural adjustments. Buddhism is in no way connected to bigotry of any kind - that goes against its core principles. And it's made cultural adjustments as its moved around for thousands of years. And as you know, it's a lot more powerful than sophomores in college realize when they share their insights about Alan Watts at Starbucks.

So when you put it all together, it's not a reach to have Americans get freaked out of their mellow when they come face to face with themselves and their teacher gives them nowhere to hide. I've been there myself, many times. I'm just not surprised about it anymore when it happens. But I was quite impressed that the Dalai Lama cared enough about the problem to address it with so much compassion.

[Rebelbase]

That was a fascinating comment, thanks.

[Hot Tabasco]

I know one lama who is several years older than I am and his mother was a revered lama.

Did you ever meet his mamalama?

[T-Bone Texan]

I am not a Buddhist, but I have a book called "What Would Buddha Do?", and it actually does help make sense of this world and helps me understand my place in it.

Folks think it competes against Christianity. I disagree. I have met several Baptists who are also Buddhists.

[TigersEye]

I understand. My clumsiness for calling them accusations. I would agree with your points.

I heard a similar story about the Dalai Lama’s first encounter with westerner’s low self-esteem. I don’t recall details of the discussion now but he was speaking with some western students and teachers and someone asked him about self-esteem in some way. He was perplexed, an eye-blinking wtf moment. They had to explain low self-esteem to him and he then explained that Tibetans don’t feel sorry for themselves and he had never heard of such a thing. At least not as a widespread cultural phenomenon.

[TigersEye]

I don’t see a conflict either but some do. That is their choice.

Long before I became a Buddhist I believed in employing whatever helped. Which is not to say that I haven’t rejected a lot of good advice and still do sometimes but I’ve always tried to find better ways to do things.

[tet68]

Nuns are perceived as inferior to monks and usually spend their time working in the kitchens and gardens of Buddhist monasteries.

Not sure where they got this but food prep and service
have always been a part of Buddhist learning for nuns
and monks.

[Gulf War One]

Interesting that they are allowed to date from time to time, as long as no one gets in the habit.

[Rebelbase]

That would make a bad habit.