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Colleen Kastenek has has an interesting Q, but rather than adding an A, it is appropriate that I let you readers do that. Please comment below with your answers, and I will summarize the results.
Just throwing this out there, and I hope a lot of people respond because I am curious: If a Buddhist monk or nun knocked on your door and asked for a few minutes of your time to explain Buddhism, what would you do?
As a Buddhist, I would welcome them and have a nice visit. But, I suspect most “westerners” would politely decline, or not open the door. Most people don’t want to learn about “other” religions, and especially from people in robes and a shaved head; it’s too “extreme” for them to accept. I remember Jehovah’s Witnesses who used to go door to door when I was a kid, and tell us how much better our lives would be if we became JW’s. We weren’t interested.
Buddhism is still too “strange” for most westerners to have any interest.
My response to this question is limited to what I would do, regardless of what I thin others might do or why. The first thing I would do is be surprised, since I do not believe Buddhists in general tend to proselytize, at least in this country, and I would be very surprised if a Buddhist Monk was inclined to do that.
My response would be that I would invite them into my home and welcome whatever insight they might add to my understanding. I am particularly interested in hearing what those who have chosen to ‘walk the walk’ are experiencing and how they are evaluating the difference in their lives. I have done enough reading and studying to think I have a decent understanding of the principles and have personally experienced a significant difference in the level of insight I believe I have into life in general, and more specifically into my own life, including changes in the my value system, but still feel, as I believe most of those who are genuinely trying to navigate through life (and perhaps beyond?), that I may not quite be hitting the mark. Although I also believe, one of the marks of having ‘Buddha nature’ is realizing (accepting) that at the highest level, everything is… perfect? I have my moments, and they are absolutely wonderful. But I still like to hear from those who at least seem to be a bit farther along the path?
Randy,
Proselytizing is not specifically prohibited by the Buddha. In fact he expected monks and nuns to promote the Dhamma. However promotion proceeds in a much deeper, quieter way, given the relationship of the Sangha to householders. I’ve just finished adding a page (under Study & Practice > Society) that explains the subtleties of that relationship.
I am also strange in appearance as I wander about in public. I generally forget that. But people’s reactions to my appearance probably closely reflects those I would get if I knocked on doors JW-style. Most people don’t look at me, they don’t want to know. However, their kids stare at me which dropped jaws. (When I am close to home in small-town Minnesota, almost everyone knows who the monks are seem always very friendly). Occasionally someone will be curious and ask. Someone once asked if I was a swami. I was at a Home Depot with the head monk in Austin once when a woman ran up very excited. “Are you Buddhist monks? My daughter saw a documentary on TV a few weeks ago about Buddhist monks, and she has been fascinated by them ever since.” The daughter was there, but very shy. She watched us from behind a stack of bags of concrete or such. I was taking a walk near a monastery in Calgary a few years ago, and someone asked if I was coming home from a toga party.
It is my understanding that the Buddha advised against proselytizing. However, if someone inquires about the Dhamma or seeks guidance from a monk, then it is appropriate to share the teachings. From what I have learned through years of practice, Buddhist monks would never go door to door, as some religions do, attempting to convert others.
Claudia,
The one Buddhist school I am aware of that openly proselytizes in the USA is Soka Gakkai, a Japanese “New Buddhism” school that does not have a monastic presence. It is actually quite substantial in the US, particularly in inner cities. Tina Turner is a member of Soka Gakkai.
There is two parts to this wonderful query. Way to go Colleen!
1. Without awareness or knowledge of Buddhism I would have no interest and send the monk on his way. (Remember, the Realizations… ignorance is listed, of course, becasue too many people have no interest in gaining knowledge. That is why wisdom is so highly considered in our spirituality. ) Also, people always seem to have no time for self-improvement.
2. If I answered the door. I would welcome the monk and ask if he could stay a few days as I have several thousand questions to ask him and to gain more knowledge in the path and pray that he would have the time and kindness to accept.
There is two parts to this wonderful query. Way to go Colleen!
1. Without awareness or knowledge of Buddhism I would have no interest and send the monk on his way. (Remember, the Realizations… ignorance is listed, of course, because too many people have no interest in gaining knowledge. That is why wisdom is so highly considered in our spirituality. ) Also, people always seem to have no time for self-improvement.
2. If I answered the door. I would welcome the monk and ask if he could stay a few days as I have several thousand questions to ask him and to gain more knowledge in the path and pray that he would have the time and kindness to accept.
I would ask him/her to meet me at a coffee shop at a mutually agreed upon date and time so that I may have time necessary to put my thoughts and questions together.
Hi Donna,
I like your suggestion to meet in a public, neutral place after some time to consider what one wants to ask.
Is there a better word than “evangelizing” or “proselytizing,” that I could use to pose my question? The Buddha did not approve of proselytizing, as I understand it. He said, “Come and see,” but I had to “Go and seek,” as do, I assume, most Westerners.
I like this approach!!
Depending on my mood and time availability, I talk with people from various religions when they come to my door. I have enjoyed a handful of conversations. I do the same with political and social cause stumpers. It all depends on the mood of the moment and the kind of vibes with the interaction.
Hey, nobody has ever invited me to a coffee shop to talk Dhamma! (I realize you live too far away to do so, Donna).
Invite him/her in and set aside things I only thought needed doing to listen and converse.
Colleen,
I assumed your question meant “… and you were a random person who knew nothing about Buddhism.” Isn’t that right?
Yes. Someone who may or may not be committed to a particular religion or philosophy, but who is generally curious about the people and the world around them. If one watches the news, works outside the home, raises a family, shouldn’t one want to know about other ideas?
I was a proseletyzing missionary for two years when I was younger. I am still perplexed at how Buddhism survives as it does, with so little effort to spread it. To me, it’s a testament of its depth and power.
I am perplexed as well, Jonathon. At my first book club meeting, when Bhikkhu Cintita stated that the sangha is likely the oldest continual human organization (and I could think of no exceptions), it made me even more interested because I thought, “There has got to be something to this.”
It’s very remarkable!
Excellent observation!
Again, my page on “the Buddha’s social teaching” (home > study & practice > society) discusses how the dynamics of promoting the Dhamma works in traditional Buddhist communities. It is a slow process.
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