An analysis of the challenges and opportunities that face Zen Buddhism as it is practiced in the West.
Written in 2008; 1,694 words; 8 sources; MLA; $ 54.95
Paper Summary:
This paper looks at Zen practitioners and what challenges they face as they practice in the West. It particularly discusses the ignorance which seems to have sprung up over time with regards to the precise nature of Zen Buddhism and looks at how Zen practitioners must confront this ignorance by vigorously educating neophyte westerners interested in the religion and philosophy but who may be ill-informed about its origins and teachings. The paper also looks at the lingering specter of racism and the common misperception regarding Buddhist "retributive" or karmic suffering.
From the Paper:
"Lastly, Buddhism is diminished in the popular imaginings of many westerners because of its apparent tolerance for human suffering - a situation which, given its association with India, can lead it to being confused with the ugly caste system historically supported by its rival (and philosophical cousin), Hinduism. Zen Buddhism thus can become easily seen as the manifestation of a religion that takes a neglectful view of the degradation visited upon unfortunate groups within a society. What is rather ironic about all of this is that the harsh, retributive notion of "karma" is actually quite alien to canonical Buddhism (Jones, 66) but the notion that Buddhism encourages this sort of human misery is a popular article of faith among its critics (Crabtree, no.6)."
We have thousands of high-quality term papers, research papers, essays, book reports and dissertations on every topic. At AcaDemon, you can download those term papers to help you write yours! You can be sure that the term paper, essay, book report or research paper you download are top-quality, competitively priced and high-level work.
This Free Term Paper Abstract is a part of our Term Paper Library.Here you can purchase research papers, examples of essays, academic dissertations, articles, notes, analytical papers, book reports, stories and poems. We have thousands of persuasive, point-of-view, narrative, critical, compare and contrast and other types of essays in our Library. You can also find here Term papers on "Zen Practitioners in the West", Essays on "Zen Practitioners in the West", Research papers on "Zen Practitioners in the West", Student papers on "Zen Practitioners in the West", Book reports on "Zen Practitioners in the West", Dissertation on "Zen Practitioners in the West", Thesis on "Zen Practitioners in the West", Summary of paper on "Zen Practitioners in the West", Articles written on "Zen Practitioners in the West".
Look for more research papers, essays and book reports on