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The Star Spangled Buddhist: Zen, Tibetan, and Soka Gakkai Buddhism and the Quest for Enlightenment in America
“Ourvan offers a succinct but illuminating overview of Zen, Tibetan, and Soka Gakkai Buddhism."—Publishers WeeklyApproximately four million Americans claim to be Buddhist. Moreover, hundreds of thousands of Americans of various faiths read about Buddhism, are interested in its philosophical tenets, or fashionably view themselves as Buddhists. They’re part of what’s been described as the fastest-growing religious movement in a large group of people dissatisfied with traditional religious offerings and thirsty for an approach to spirituality grounded in logic and consistent with scientific knowledge. The Star-Spangled Buddhist is a provocative look at these American Buddhists through their three largest movements in the United the Soka Gakkai International, Tibetan/Vajrayana Buddhism, and Zen Buddhism.The practice of each of these American schools, unlike most traditional Asian Buddhist sects, is grounded in the notion that all people are capable of attaining enlightenment in “this lifetime.” But the differences are also the spectrum of philosophical expression among these American Buddhist schools is as varied as that observed between Reformed, Orthodox, and Hasidic Judaism.The Star-Spangled Buddhist isn’t written from the perspective of a monk or academic but rather from the view of author Jeff Ourvan, a lifelong-practicing lay Buddhist. As Ourvan explores the American Buddhist movement through its most popular schools, he arrives at a clearer understanding for himself and the reader about what it means to be—and how one might choose to be—a Buddhist in America.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 22, 2013
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December 17, 2024
Following the Buddha In America
Buddhism has become a presence in American life as many people try to follow Buddhist teachings while an even larger number of people show Buddhist influence. Jeff Ourvan's book "The Star Spangled Buddhist: Zen, Tibetan, and Soka Gakkai Buddhism and the Quest for Enlightenment in America" (2013) is a short guide to three different ways of following the Buddha in America: Zen, Tibetan Buddhism, and Soka Gakkai. Ourvan has enjoyed varied careers as a geologist, literary agent, and attorney. He has also written eclectically. In 2012, for example, he wrote a book with former major leaguer Orlando Cepeda, "How to Coach Baseball so Every Kid Wins."
The book has a quixotic beginning. In 1983, Ourvan, describing himself at the time as a "nice, Jewish macrobiotic geologist" receives a chance opportunity to attend a Soka Gakkai meeting in New York City and almost immediately, and seemingly rashly, signs up. The scene bears the hallmarks of superficiality. But the book won me over in what follows. Ourvan writes thoughtfully and sincerely. He combines his own personal experiences with substantial information and insight into American Buddhism.
Ourvan points out that the United States is unique in the number and breadth of the Buddhist traditions within its borders. He focuses on the three largest American Buddhist groups. Zen, Tibetan Buddhism, and Soka Gakkai. These are three large and different groups and offer much to consider. Ourvan acknowledges but does not discuss a fourth group, based upon the Theravada Buddhist tradition and mindfulness meditation. As it happens, this is the part of Buddhism with which I am most familiar.
The book offers a short overview of the Buddha and Buddhism before examining the three American Buddhist groups under the headings of the Buddhist Triple Jem: the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha. Under each heading, Ourvan he examines the history and American practice of the Zen, Tibetan and Soka Gakkai schools. He discusses the important doctrines of each group, the manner in which each group came to the United States, and leading American practitioners.
Ourvan points out that each of the groups has had a difficult path in the United States. Leading figures in Zen and Tibetan Buddhism have become emeshed in sexual and, less frequently, in political scandals. The Soka Gakkai group was excommunicated in the early 1990's by monastic parent group in Japan and now functions independently as a large Buddhist lay organization.
Ourvan points out differences between the groups on the time and in some cases financial resources each group demands from its followers and on the diverging paths to enlightenment each follows. He finds commonalities among all the schools in the espousal of nonviolence, the strong sense of the impermanence of life, and in the importance of the mentor-student relationship. The importance of having a teacher, Ourvan argues, is fundamental and difficult for Americans to grasp. Trying to learn Buddhism without a teacher is, perhaps, like trying to learn to play the piano well on one's own. Ourvan also stresses the importance of individual effort, relying on an early injunction from the Buddha to "be an island onto oneself" and to "strive on with diligence". Ourvan has come to believe that the path to enlightenment must be taken person by person, one at a time.
Ourvan writes perceptively and sympathetically about each of the three schools of American Buddhism he considers. He clearly is most comfortable with the Soka Gakkai school in which he has practiced since young adulthood. Ourvan praises Soka Gakkai for its universality, openness to diversity, and accessibility of its teachings. He also is critical of the organizational structure of the group.
This book offers an engaged overview of American Buddhism and of the contributions that Buddhism might make to American culture. Ourvan writes, "Plagued as we are with issues of personal and collective violence, as well as a culture of blame, Americans will find that Buddhism offers a clear way forward." The book will appeal to readers curious about Buddhism and to readers with a strong interest in the way Buddhism has developed and continues to develop in the United States.
Robin Friedman
Buddhism has become a presence in American life as many people try to follow Buddhist teachings while an even larger number of people show Buddhist influence. Jeff Ourvan's book "The Star Spangled Buddhist: Zen, Tibetan, and Soka Gakkai Buddhism and the Quest for Enlightenment in America" (2013) is a short guide to three different ways of following the Buddha in America: Zen, Tibetan Buddhism, and Soka Gakkai. Ourvan has enjoyed varied careers as a geologist, literary agent, and attorney. He has also written eclectically. In 2012, for example, he wrote a book with former major leaguer Orlando Cepeda, "How to Coach Baseball so Every Kid Wins."
The book has a quixotic beginning. In 1983, Ourvan, describing himself at the time as a "nice, Jewish macrobiotic geologist" receives a chance opportunity to attend a Soka Gakkai meeting in New York City and almost immediately, and seemingly rashly, signs up. The scene bears the hallmarks of superficiality. But the book won me over in what follows. Ourvan writes thoughtfully and sincerely. He combines his own personal experiences with substantial information and insight into American Buddhism.
Ourvan points out that the United States is unique in the number and breadth of the Buddhist traditions within its borders. He focuses on the three largest American Buddhist groups. Zen, Tibetan Buddhism, and Soka Gakkai. These are three large and different groups and offer much to consider. Ourvan acknowledges but does not discuss a fourth group, based upon the Theravada Buddhist tradition and mindfulness meditation. As it happens, this is the part of Buddhism with which I am most familiar.
The book offers a short overview of the Buddha and Buddhism before examining the three American Buddhist groups under the headings of the Buddhist Triple Jem: the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha. Under each heading, Ourvan he examines the history and American practice of the Zen, Tibetan and Soka Gakkai schools. He discusses the important doctrines of each group, the manner in which each group came to the United States, and leading American practitioners.
Ourvan points out that each of the groups has had a difficult path in the United States. Leading figures in Zen and Tibetan Buddhism have become emeshed in sexual and, less frequently, in political scandals. The Soka Gakkai group was excommunicated in the early 1990's by monastic parent group in Japan and now functions independently as a large Buddhist lay organization.
Ourvan points out differences between the groups on the time and in some cases financial resources each group demands from its followers and on the diverging paths to enlightenment each follows. He finds commonalities among all the schools in the espousal of nonviolence, the strong sense of the impermanence of life, and in the importance of the mentor-student relationship. The importance of having a teacher, Ourvan argues, is fundamental and difficult for Americans to grasp. Trying to learn Buddhism without a teacher is, perhaps, like trying to learn to play the piano well on one's own. Ourvan also stresses the importance of individual effort, relying on an early injunction from the Buddha to "be an island onto oneself" and to "strive on with diligence". Ourvan has come to believe that the path to enlightenment must be taken person by person, one at a time.
Ourvan writes perceptively and sympathetically about each of the three schools of American Buddhism he considers. He clearly is most comfortable with the Soka Gakkai school in which he has practiced since young adulthood. Ourvan praises Soka Gakkai for its universality, openness to diversity, and accessibility of its teachings. He also is critical of the organizational structure of the group.
This book offers an engaged overview of American Buddhism and of the contributions that Buddhism might make to American culture. Ourvan writes, "Plagued as we are with issues of personal and collective violence, as well as a culture of blame, Americans will find that Buddhism offers a clear way forward." The book will appeal to readers curious about Buddhism and to readers with a strong interest in the way Buddhism has developed and continues to develop in the United States.
Robin Friedman
December 22, 2013
There are far better presentations and histories of Buddhism's arrival and presence in the west and one would be better served to find one of them.
Early on in this text a fundamental bias revealed itself in the broad assertion that there are three general categories of buddhism in America: Zen, Tibetan, and Soka Gakkai. To say that Zen and Tibetan buddhism are broad categories is correct. They both encompass many lineages and traditions. Soka Gakkai is not general at all. It is a very specific lineage and organization that properly, if one sticks with the broad categories like Zen and Tibetan, belongs to the category of Pureland buddhism.
The writer is practicing in the SGI lineage. If such a fundamental mistake at the outset is made on purpose or not, it is a mistake nonetheless and colors the credibility of the rest of the book for me. I put it down and moved on.
Early on in this text a fundamental bias revealed itself in the broad assertion that there are three general categories of buddhism in America: Zen, Tibetan, and Soka Gakkai. To say that Zen and Tibetan buddhism are broad categories is correct. They both encompass many lineages and traditions. Soka Gakkai is not general at all. It is a very specific lineage and organization that properly, if one sticks with the broad categories like Zen and Tibetan, belongs to the category of Pureland buddhism.
The writer is practicing in the SGI lineage. If such a fundamental mistake at the outset is made on purpose or not, it is a mistake nonetheless and colors the credibility of the rest of the book for me. I put it down and moved on.
October 2, 2013
Honestly, who knew American Buddhism was so corrupt in it's history? Book is written by an American Buddhist. Discusses all the different branches on Buddhism, history, and evolution to the US. The book actually made me pretty sad. I had always hoped that Buddhism was an untarnished religion/philosophy. How naive to think that.
May 26, 2014
Good survey of American Buddhism. Though I wish some of the perspective presented in the conclusion had been present in the introduction. It would have helped to set the tone.
October 26, 2017
This was a thoroughly enjoyable, easy-to-read, interesting book! I just thought the title sounded cool, and I am interested in Buddhism. If you had asked me if I know stuff about Buddhism before this book, I would have said "Yes, of course, I know all the main bullet points..." but this book had SO MUCH MORE information that I had ever encountered or thought to seek out before!
Frankly, I wasn't even entirely aware that there were different sects of Buddhism, and I had NO idea there was such a violent and scandal-ridden history! How silly of me to think that Buddhism had somehow escaped the things that have plagued other organized religions.
I knew the Buddhists I hang out with are "Tibetan Buddhists" because they be talking about Tibet a lot but I didn't realize that "Tibetan Buddhism" was a PARTICULAR kind of Buddhism. It was really interesting to read a little about the way different sects and reformations came along.
There were a ton of really interesting vocabulary words and famous people's names in this book. I learned so much. It was well-written and very easily accessible. This is a good book for anyone interested in modern religious history. Ourvan touches briefly on some ancient history but the book is mostly about things in the past hundred years, when Buddhism started gaining traction in America.
His critique of the lack of diversity in American Buddhism was very eye opening to me. I knew the zendo I've hung out in was full of white people but I thought maybe that was just Ohio. Apparently, it's weirdly endemic to Tibetan and Zen Buddhism, but Soka Gakkai has avoided it. Ourvan attributes this to the high cost of retreats but I think there's more to it than that, as I personally have never spent a penny on anything and always felt totally welcomed. I think if you are already a racial minority, it takes extra courage to seek out a minority religion. I can fool around with whatever wacky religion I feel like and still have an armor of white privilege.
Frankly, I wasn't even entirely aware that there were different sects of Buddhism, and I had NO idea there was such a violent and scandal-ridden history! How silly of me to think that Buddhism had somehow escaped the things that have plagued other organized religions.
I knew the Buddhists I hang out with are "Tibetan Buddhists" because they be talking about Tibet a lot but I didn't realize that "Tibetan Buddhism" was a PARTICULAR kind of Buddhism. It was really interesting to read a little about the way different sects and reformations came along.
There were a ton of really interesting vocabulary words and famous people's names in this book. I learned so much. It was well-written and very easily accessible. This is a good book for anyone interested in modern religious history. Ourvan touches briefly on some ancient history but the book is mostly about things in the past hundred years, when Buddhism started gaining traction in America.
His critique of the lack of diversity in American Buddhism was very eye opening to me. I knew the zendo I've hung out in was full of white people but I thought maybe that was just Ohio. Apparently, it's weirdly endemic to Tibetan and Zen Buddhism, but Soka Gakkai has avoided it. Ourvan attributes this to the high cost of retreats but I think there's more to it than that, as I personally have never spent a penny on anything and always felt totally welcomed. I think if you are already a racial minority, it takes extra courage to seek out a minority religion. I can fool around with whatever wacky religion I feel like and still have an armor of white privilege.
October 19, 2025
Read this over a long period, I lost sight of the fact that at the beginning he talked about joining Soka Gakkai, one of the three traditions he covers. The other two are what I’d consider broad traditions of Buddhism, Zen and Tibetan, which have evolved in particular ways in the US. Soka Gakkai as a 20th-century development stemming from Nichiren is more narrow, specific, and leader-focused on Ikeda Daisaku, which comes across in his book.
Despite his membership in SGI, Ourvan gives a relatively balanced overview of the three traditions. he shows deep reading across the philosophies, pulling quotes from diverse thinkers such as Thich Nat Han (zen) and Ikeda Daisaku (SG) and Pema Chodron (Tibetan) to illustrate commonalities.
Ourvan explores not only the philosophy grounding the traditions, but also their cultural, social, and political histories, with more emphasis on how they evolved in the US. This gives readers both a good sense of the distinctions between them, but also a real understanding of their foibles and transgressions. Towards the end Ourvan talks about the tumult in SGI’s leadership and focus in the 1970s-80s, when George Williams was removed and Ikeda reasserted himself as leader. I can’t help but feel there’s more to the story, but as a follower of it he is unable to fully tell it. SGI activities as I’ve been aware of them both in US and Japan lean more towards cult of personality IMO. Despite this possible soft touch on SGI and Ikeda, whom Ourvan has met and considered his mentor, I found this book illuminating in understanding a truth of Buddhism, to see and treat everyone as human individuals and as buddhas.
Despite his membership in SGI, Ourvan gives a relatively balanced overview of the three traditions. he shows deep reading across the philosophies, pulling quotes from diverse thinkers such as Thich Nat Han (zen) and Ikeda Daisaku (SG) and Pema Chodron (Tibetan) to illustrate commonalities.
Ourvan explores not only the philosophy grounding the traditions, but also their cultural, social, and political histories, with more emphasis on how they evolved in the US. This gives readers both a good sense of the distinctions between them, but also a real understanding of their foibles and transgressions. Towards the end Ourvan talks about the tumult in SGI’s leadership and focus in the 1970s-80s, when George Williams was removed and Ikeda reasserted himself as leader. I can’t help but feel there’s more to the story, but as a follower of it he is unable to fully tell it. SGI activities as I’ve been aware of them both in US and Japan lean more towards cult of personality IMO. Despite this possible soft touch on SGI and Ikeda, whom Ourvan has met and considered his mentor, I found this book illuminating in understanding a truth of Buddhism, to see and treat everyone as human individuals and as buddhas.
January 16, 2023
Overall, this book offers a relatively well-balanced overview of 3 major Buddhist denominations in the United States. It does not hesitate to criticize and to lay out past controversies, although the author's sympathies with Soka Gakkai definitely bleed through and he seems much less willing to grapple with criticisms in those segments than in the ones on Zen and Tibetan Buddhism.
One glaring editorial decision I can not fathom on the part of the author, however, was the near total exclusion of Vipassana (and Theravada Buddhism, generally.) The author addresses Vipassana in one mere footnote in which he more or less says it is irrelevant. Vipassana is certainly not as prominent as Zen or Tibetan Buddhism but its thinkers and its practices are certainly more prominent within the broader culture than anything to come from SGI. It is arguably the most influential school of thought in the development of modern, non-denominational mindfulness practices. Its writers (Joseph Goldstein, Sharon Salzberg, Jack Kornfield) are far more notable within modern American Buddhism than many of the figures the author highlights, and certainly more than any person within SGI (his section on SGI shies away from highlighting any major thinkers from within SGI, in part because there aren't any). It seems as though the exclusion of Vipassana was a choice by the author to inflate the standing of SGI by putting it alongside more widely practiced and written practices.
One glaring editorial decision I can not fathom on the part of the author, however, was the near total exclusion of Vipassana (and Theravada Buddhism, generally.) The author addresses Vipassana in one mere footnote in which he more or less says it is irrelevant. Vipassana is certainly not as prominent as Zen or Tibetan Buddhism but its thinkers and its practices are certainly more prominent within the broader culture than anything to come from SGI. It is arguably the most influential school of thought in the development of modern, non-denominational mindfulness practices. Its writers (Joseph Goldstein, Sharon Salzberg, Jack Kornfield) are far more notable within modern American Buddhism than many of the figures the author highlights, and certainly more than any person within SGI (his section on SGI shies away from highlighting any major thinkers from within SGI, in part because there aren't any). It seems as though the exclusion of Vipassana was a choice by the author to inflate the standing of SGI by putting it alongside more widely practiced and written practices.
February 12, 2018
Not perfect, but quite good
Ourvan attempts to give readers a contemporary look at three Buddhist schools of thought which have become part of the American scene. I could quibble with his histories of Zen and Tibetan Buddhism, but he gives a fair presentation - given that he is a part of Sokka Gakkai, the other school he considers.
He does observe Zen and Tibetan Buddhism from a Sokka Gakkai perspective, noting controversies in those schools while excusing controversies of Sokka Gakkai; and claiming that Zen and Tibetan Buddhism are more for the upper class, not egalitarian enough, due to the costs which can be associated with them in some cases.
As far as I'm concerned, none of those controversies mean anything. They are more about press sensationalism than anything else.
I would have liked a more sympathetic view of Zen and Tibetan Buddhism, but the reader can get a somewhat reasonable view of all three schools - just be sure to read some of the writings from these schools of thought to gain a better perspective before making any final conclusions. Ourvan is a bit soft on what enlightenment is supposed to be in these schools.
For me, Ourvan's vocabulary in discussing Buddhism is a little too colloquial, leaving some ideas hazy, but that might not be the case for other readers, since I am a scholar on Buddhism. You might like this approach.
Give it a try.
Ourvan attempts to give readers a contemporary look at three Buddhist schools of thought which have become part of the American scene. I could quibble with his histories of Zen and Tibetan Buddhism, but he gives a fair presentation - given that he is a part of Sokka Gakkai, the other school he considers.
He does observe Zen and Tibetan Buddhism from a Sokka Gakkai perspective, noting controversies in those schools while excusing controversies of Sokka Gakkai; and claiming that Zen and Tibetan Buddhism are more for the upper class, not egalitarian enough, due to the costs which can be associated with them in some cases.
As far as I'm concerned, none of those controversies mean anything. They are more about press sensationalism than anything else.
I would have liked a more sympathetic view of Zen and Tibetan Buddhism, but the reader can get a somewhat reasonable view of all three schools - just be sure to read some of the writings from these schools of thought to gain a better perspective before making any final conclusions. Ourvan is a bit soft on what enlightenment is supposed to be in these schools.
For me, Ourvan's vocabulary in discussing Buddhism is a little too colloquial, leaving some ideas hazy, but that might not be the case for other readers, since I am a scholar on Buddhism. You might like this approach.
Give it a try.
October 5, 2023
DNF @ abt 40%
I invested FAR too much time trying to read this mess. All I came away with were that the Great Courses did a far better job of explaining the history of Buddhism, that religion in any form is basically a bunch of people fighting over splitting hairs on stuff that doesn't really matter, and that anything can be marketed to Americans as long as we are convinced we can make it more attractive, more efficient, or that it allows us to feel superior to the culture that did it first.
I invested FAR too much time trying to read this mess. All I came away with were that the Great Courses did a far better job of explaining the history of Buddhism, that religion in any form is basically a bunch of people fighting over splitting hairs on stuff that doesn't really matter, and that anything can be marketed to Americans as long as we are convinced we can make it more attractive, more efficient, or that it allows us to feel superior to the culture that did it first.
March 19, 2018
An excellent introduction to the 3 schools of Buddhism practiced in the USA
This book is insightful and informative even though it definitely leans in the direction of promoting the Soka Gokkai school of Buddhist practice.
This book is insightful and informative even though it definitely leans in the direction of promoting the Soka Gokkai school of Buddhist practice.
December 15, 2024
The good: I was unfamiliar with Soka Gakkai Buddhism until I picked up this book, and it was a good high-level introduction to that particular lineage.
The bad: It should have only been a book about Soka Gakkai. The author's personal preference for SGI-USA was quite distracting in parts.
The bad: It should have only been a book about Soka Gakkai. The author's personal preference for SGI-USA was quite distracting in parts.
January 10, 2020
Very full of information, but I bit dull. Not the biggest fan of the organization of the information as it felt like it jumped back and forth a bit making things confusing. I did enjoy learning about buddhism and the history behind it, as well as how it has developed in the US. I also liked how the negative aspects of buddhism were also discussed and not just glossed over.
October 22, 2021
More like an anthology of Buddhist brochures, this book has little more to offer a serious spiritual seeker and is better suited for a religious studies class exposure.
October 26, 2022
Grabbed my attention at the start but by mid book I was trying to justify continued reading. I could not.
June 26, 2020
This book is a helpful overview of the three most commonly available forms of Buddhism in the United States. Each group is examined using the Three Refuges of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha-- their group interpretation, and manifestation of these principles.
His experience is with the Soka Gakkai so that information has a greater depth, and a vcry personal sense. The other two groups feel less well developed, or clear in what their teachings might be, much less anything regarding groups, or organizations.
The book offers an instructional guide that outlines the barest skeleton for Tibetan, or Zen Buddhism. SGI's entry is a better treatment. A book best for those that want the most basic ideas regarding the three largest Buddhist movements in the US.
There are online resources, and further reading offered to go further in exploring these, at the end of the book. A glossary assists with any new terms, and ideas. The index, always a welcome addition to a reference work, will assist navigating to specific concepts.
His experience is with the Soka Gakkai so that information has a greater depth, and a vcry personal sense. The other two groups feel less well developed, or clear in what their teachings might be, much less anything regarding groups, or organizations.
The book offers an instructional guide that outlines the barest skeleton for Tibetan, or Zen Buddhism. SGI's entry is a better treatment. A book best for those that want the most basic ideas regarding the three largest Buddhist movements in the US.
There are online resources, and further reading offered to go further in exploring these, at the end of the book. A glossary assists with any new terms, and ideas. The index, always a welcome addition to a reference work, will assist navigating to specific concepts.
March 8, 2017
It was okay, but not what I expected. That's probably because Buddhism is highly complex, with multiple streams and a long history. I was hoping more for the essence of Buddhism but I got a lot of ancient and modern history of competing branches of Buddhism along the way.
August 14, 2014
Over the years, from various books, I've gotten the impression that a number of scientist are more comfortable with Buddhism than other religions, I have suspected that this is in part because it doesn't require one to believe in a God. Buddhism seems almost fashionable, maybe it's a way to try and enjoy the goods of spirituality while remaining an atheist.
The author claims at the beginning of the book that Buddhism is in harmony with science, but he never shows a single example of how this is the case, but rather, it seemed the rest of the book completely undermined this proclamation. It was eye-opening for me to get a more inside look at Buddhism, instead of the positive sounds bites that I normally hear. Buddhism may sound attractive on the surface, but my word... the devil is in the details!
I was taken-aback by the copious amount of mythology, contradictory beliefs, internal conflict, bizarre and ludicrous assertions and the disturbing history that attaches itself to this religion, It's not a pretty picture. From this book I learned that some versions of Buddhism make denying logic and reason a virtue and embrace the idea of reincarnation, Karma and even teach that the self is an illusion, uh... this is harmonious with science???? Some Buddhist require disciples to be completely subservient to their mentor, who is always right and can employ violence against them and even make them their sex slave if they want... but it is always for their good of course, to help shock them into enlightenment. Most disturbing to me was the claim of some Buddhist proponents that morality is an illusion-no such thing as right and wrong, and than paradoxically, for Buddhism to present itself as the great ethical religion that encourages love and goodwill. Some of the most respected gurus were shown to have filthy hearts and to have lead horrible lives, but still the author tried to justify them, showing the message they taught is what mattered. It is unreal how many Buddhist have engaged in wars and bloodshed throughout history. Considering how there is no basis for objective morality this comes as no surprise!
I imagine some are attracted to Buddhism precisely because they can remain as immoral as they want to be, they can do whatever their wretches hearts want to do, because there is no standard.
The author claims at the beginning of the book that Buddhism is in harmony with science, but he never shows a single example of how this is the case, but rather, it seemed the rest of the book completely undermined this proclamation. It was eye-opening for me to get a more inside look at Buddhism, instead of the positive sounds bites that I normally hear. Buddhism may sound attractive on the surface, but my word... the devil is in the details!
I was taken-aback by the copious amount of mythology, contradictory beliefs, internal conflict, bizarre and ludicrous assertions and the disturbing history that attaches itself to this religion, It's not a pretty picture. From this book I learned that some versions of Buddhism make denying logic and reason a virtue and embrace the idea of reincarnation, Karma and even teach that the self is an illusion, uh... this is harmonious with science???? Some Buddhist require disciples to be completely subservient to their mentor, who is always right and can employ violence against them and even make them their sex slave if they want... but it is always for their good of course, to help shock them into enlightenment. Most disturbing to me was the claim of some Buddhist proponents that morality is an illusion-no such thing as right and wrong, and than paradoxically, for Buddhism to present itself as the great ethical religion that encourages love and goodwill. Some of the most respected gurus were shown to have filthy hearts and to have lead horrible lives, but still the author tried to justify them, showing the message they taught is what mattered. It is unreal how many Buddhist have engaged in wars and bloodshed throughout history. Considering how there is no basis for objective morality this comes as no surprise!
I imagine some are attracted to Buddhism precisely because they can remain as immoral as they want to be, they can do whatever their wretches hearts want to do, because there is no standard.
November 7, 2014
I must admit when picking up this book I was under the impression that it was about a man's quest for enlightenment across three very different forms of Buddhism which was one of bigger faults of the book going forward.
as at least one other reviewer noted, the first problem with this book was in the assertion that Buddhism in America (and elsewhere) is split into the three categories of Zen, Tibetan, and Sokka Gakkai. The obvious problem being that these three are not really categories (while Zen and Tibetan are, in a way, they are still very vague) and Sokka Gakkai is one very particular tradition of Buddhism.
The rest of the book seems to provide at least introductory knowledge of the transmission of Buddhism though it does not provide any lengthy discussion of the political and social ramifications of the movement of Buddhism to North America. For those interested in reading up on the actual history of Buddhism moving West, there are far better examples.
as at least one other reviewer noted, the first problem with this book was in the assertion that Buddhism in America (and elsewhere) is split into the three categories of Zen, Tibetan, and Sokka Gakkai. The obvious problem being that these three are not really categories (while Zen and Tibetan are, in a way, they are still very vague) and Sokka Gakkai is one very particular tradition of Buddhism.
The rest of the book seems to provide at least introductory knowledge of the transmission of Buddhism though it does not provide any lengthy discussion of the political and social ramifications of the movement of Buddhism to North America. For those interested in reading up on the actual history of Buddhism moving West, there are far better examples.
September 11, 2013
This was a very simplistic look at three different types of Buddhism present in America today. Ourvan gives a cursory historical overview of each, as well as information on the current practices of Zen Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism/Shambala Buddhism and Soka Gakkai.
I felt that each section was too superficial to really explore each facet of Buddhism in detail and that detracted from my enjoyment.
This is a readable book with a good historical and practical overview of three facets of Buddhism, but the overview aspect of the book is why I didn't rate this any higher. I would have preferred a more in-depth description of the religious philosophies.
I felt that each section was too superficial to really explore each facet of Buddhism in detail and that detracted from my enjoyment.
This is a readable book with a good historical and practical overview of three facets of Buddhism, but the overview aspect of the book is why I didn't rate this any higher. I would have preferred a more in-depth description of the religious philosophies.
January 30, 2016
This was a really informative book on the history of Buddhism and its journey to America. I had no idea there are different "types" of Buddhism and how much they differ. It was almost like a history book at times and made me a little sleep, but overall it was a great informative read on the history of Buddhism and also how it has become intertwined into American Culture.
August 31, 2016
A very engaging book on the 3 most popular Buddhist approaches in America: Zen, Tibetan, and Soka Gakkai. It explains where each approach originated from, its' points of view on the Dharma, and the Sanghas that encapsulate each. This is a great book to read if you are looking for a Buddhist school but don't know where to start.
June 10, 2014
Well that was very pro-SGI-USA. I was not shocked when he acknowledged his Soka Gokkai faith in his afterword. But I guess I'm glad to learn more about SGI, and it was probably good to get a perspective on Tibetan Buddhism as it relates to other Buddhist histories and practices.
May 28, 2014
Somewhat tedious, but thorough.
November 16, 2014
Way too laboriously detailed for a book that seems pitched at the lay reader. But it did help me work out which subset of Buddhism appeals to me. It's zen - the one without the details!
April 25, 2015
Unfortunately very biased.
August 16, 2015
Salute!
Good history and introduction to the practice of Buddhism in the U.S., includes author's personal experience with Soka Gakkai Buddhism as well.
Good history and introduction to the practice of Buddhism in the U.S., includes author's personal experience with Soka Gakkai Buddhism as well.
December 4, 2017
Great look into US Buddhism wart and all.
did-not-finish
June 7, 2018Abandoned sometime in early March at p. 83
I started reading this while doing a working visit at a Buddhist meditation centre, having binged on Buddhist books for a bit. Heh, alliterative! The cover and title make it look more entertaining than it really is and the increasingly dry nature of the analysis is probably what made me lose the thread. Still, what I did read helped me understand some of the more fundamental differences between these three schools of Buddhism. I might return to it at some point.
I started reading this while doing a working visit at a Buddhist meditation centre, having binged on Buddhist books for a bit. Heh, alliterative! The cover and title make it look more entertaining than it really is and the increasingly dry nature of the analysis is probably what made me lose the thread. Still, what I did read helped me understand some of the more fundamental differences between these three schools of Buddhism. I might return to it at some point.
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