Re: Why is Buddhism More Accessible in the US
Originally Posted by
jignyAsu
You mean in western academics? That's bad. We also have documented histories of how Jainas and Bouddhas collaborated with kings and actively plotting against the Hindus. This is seen in both Vaishnava/Shaiva history throughout the India. Also, we have Buddhist/Jain version of Ramayana, mahabharata etc displaying our worshiped ones as lusty and violent. Right from Adi Shankara times we hear how the Buddhists used to spend lifetimes denouncing and bad mouthing Vedas - not just philosophically refuting them. However, the impression of Buddhists in the west is that all of them have always been like Gautama Buddha - ever peaceful, meditative, doing good to even evil.... :-)
Not that I want them to be portrayed in bad light but how come negatives about only Hinduism manage to reach western academics? I guess all this comes back to links to Hollywood etc, sited by members above.
And by saying "academic scholars of India" have well understood it - do you mean Indian scholars or western academic scholars who study Indian history? Do students in west get to read this version?
Oh, no, the Buddhist and Jain activities against Hindus (and against each other) are also covered. No community is completely innocent. Maybe in the popular imagination, but not in serious scholarship. By "academic scholars of India" I mean people teaching in universities whose field of expertise is India, regardless of whether the individuals in question are "western" or Indian. Ethnicity is not really relevant here. It's a matter of training and having a degree from an accredited institution.
"One who makes a habit of prayer and meditation will easily overcome all difficulties and remain calm and unruffled in the midst of the trials of life." (Holy Mother Sarada Devi)
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