Running Head: BUDDHISM IN MODERN CULTURE

Buddhism in Modern Culture:

The Study of Modernized Buddhist Practice in Todays Society
Alexandra Niemeyer
University of Kentucky

Running Head: BUDDHISM IN MODERN CULTURE

Buddhism in Modern Culture:

The Study of Modernized Buddhist Practice in Todays Society

It has been said countless times: the world is one big melting pot. But the truth behind
that statement is far greater than it seems. So many cultures, countries and religions make up our
unique world. America specifically is one of the most diverse countries on earth. So many
different cultures have migrated to America during times of strife and conflict in their homeland.
However, without all of these cultures and differences, America would not be what it is today.
If one were to ask an American their heritage, most likely they would be able to trace
their ancestors back to a handful of various countries. No one person originates from one place.
Each person holds so many heritages from areas of all different religious beliefs and cultural
traditions. Buddhism is a generally popular topic, yet most of the world is clueless on what
Buddhism is or what Buddhists believe in. However, Buddhist traditions, beliefs and culture, the
differences between traditional and modern Buddhist teachings and lifestyles, and how modern
Buddhists live both similar and different lives from others are all things that make up only one of
the many cultures present in the melting pot known as America. In this paper, I will be
discussing, Buddhism in America, Buddhist lifestyles and religious teachingsmore specifically
regarding abortion and ethics. I will be discussing how I grew from my research, how my
research impacted my thoughts on Buddhism and whether I related to the culture as a whole.
My experiences studying Buddhism through interviews and research have changed my
outlook on prejudices and stereotypes, and have led me to a greater appreciation for differing
cultures. Buddhism is a culture that many people do not know much about, but is very intriguing
because it is so different from every other culture. Many people have the ability to trace their

Running Head: BUDDHISM IN MODERN CULTURE

ancestry back to many different countries and cultures. In my family we have traced back Native
American, Irish, British and German heritages. Our ancestral lines make up a large portion of
who we are as people, and let us contribute different cultures to society. Many Americans today
have Buddhism linked to their ancestry lines and do not even know it.
A large majority of people in Western Europe (China, Japan, Thailand, etc.) conform to
one of two major religionsMuslim and Buddhism. Many people think that, in order to be
Buddhist, one has to be Asian or Middle Eastern. There is also the misconception that all Middle
Easterners and Asians are Muslim or Buddhist. However, it does not matter what color your skin
iseach person can conform and follow the beliefs of any religion in the world. This is why
American is exploding with so many different cultures. People from all over come to America
for freedom and opportunity to practice whatever religion they prefer. While Americans are and
always will be judgmental and prejudice, some countries are very strict and will shun you for
simply believing something different than all of those in the community and families
surrounding you. America is a safety netit always will be a land bursting with freedom and
new opportunities for all that wish to find a new start.
Buster Smith wrote a conducted a research study on Buddhism and its success and
popularity in America. His conclusive paper, Buddhism in America, tests four hypotheses:
Hypothesis 1: Buddhist organization will be more likely to exist in areas where a large portion
of the population is Asian. Hypothesis 2: Buddhist organizations will be more likely to exist in
area with a highly educated populace. Hypothesis 3: Buddhist organizations will be more likey to
exist in areas with a college or university. Hypothesis 4: Buddhist organizations will be more
likely to exist in areas with low levels of general religious adherence (Smith p. 152). The result
of his tests and research showed that Buddhism is represented in every state of the US, with less

Running Head: BUDDHISM IN MODERN CULTURE

attraction and popularity in North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming (Smith p. 154). Also, it
was found not surprisingly that the areas with more Asian citizens are ones in which Buddhism is
a more popular religion (Smith p. 154). From this study, it is obvious that Buddhism has not fully
taken America by storm just yet. Buddhism has reached America and has caught the attention of
scientists and researchers, but has not made a significant impact on American society and
culture.
Buddhist lifestyles have changed drastically over the course of hundreds of years. A large
majority of Buddhist families have conformed to modern Buddhist teachings as society has
grown and expanded. Marriage, family life and meditation and are all subjects that make up the
general Buddhist lifestyle that modern teachings follow.
Though it is a more traditional part of Buddhist teachings, many modern believers still
marry their spouses without knowing much about them. One woman in Todd Lewis book
Buddhists: Understanding Buddhism Through the Lives of Practitioners, married a man that her
uncle had found matched her horoscope (Lewis p. 187). After getting married and spending time
together, the woman and her husband eventually grew to love and care for one another, but the
situation is not the same as modern American society in which most people fall in love and then
get married. The lifestyles of modern Buddhist wives and mothers are very similar to societys
typical momlots of cleaning, cooking and caring for the children. American families have
wives and mothers working full-time more now than ever before as the economy has been
failing. It is a common misconception that Buddhist women do not work, and that they shy away
from jobs and responsibility. However, if it were not for the appearance of heritage in their skin,
most people would not realize they conformed to the religion. Buddhist people in America are
follow different beliefs, customs and practices, but are still hard-working humans like the rest of

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us.
After interviewing two college students from the University of Kentuckys SGI Buddhist
Student Association, I was surprised to find that most college students practicing Buddhism live
almost identical lives to the typical college student. Member Meera Nair said, The dress is the
same as a typical college student. If I go to a party I wear my party clothes. When asked about
the stereotypes of Buddhism presented in society, Nair said, Buddhism is actually finding your
true self, and people do not give it a chance. I have seen these stereotypes in several movies and
TV shows that show Buddhism through the use of our beads, which help us to focus our minds.
Nair admits that one of the only traditional Buddhism customs she follows is meditation.
Meditation is a quiet time that traditional and modern Buddhist use to get away from all
distractions and find peace with themselves and Buddha. SGI Buddhist Student Association
President Zina Merkin describes meditation as a big part of [her] life. In the interview I
conducted with her, she confessed that If I have a personal problem, academic problem,
problems with family, friends, boyfriend, etc. I think myself what is not clear in the situation.
Or how can I alleviate and solve this situation. Meditation helps me to sort through my life and
bring me to peace. Mediation helps to eliminate all anger and find a way to tackle the situation.
At the same time, Merkin admits that sometimes other things distract her and she misses her
mediation time because of her busy schedule as full-time college student. Similarly, the same
woman from Lewis book agrees, saying, I try to meditate in the morning for an hour every
day but sometimes I have no time because I have to get up, make foodwhen I come home
[from my day], I have to cook again, clean the dishesand prepare our child for bed (Lewis
p.187). The interview I had with Nair and Merkin gave me a greater understanding of modern
Buddhism directly from a person living the lifestyle.

Running Head: BUDDHISM IN MODERN CULTURE

In the life of a typical humanreligion disregardedit is hard to find time to relax and
cool off amidst the chaos of work, school, family and friends and responsibility. In my life, I feel
like I am constantly rushing throughout my entire day to get everything done that I need to.
Between my heavy college course load, Pre-Pharmacy meetings, Human Nutrition club
meetings, sorority life, church, sports, and friends and family, I never have any free time to
myself. Some of my favorite things to do are read fiction novels and watch movies, but I never
have time for even the simplest of things with the constant rush and buzz of life. I know that it is
important to maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle, and researching into Buddhist meditation
and religion has challenged me to find time to relax and enjoy life to the fullest. One does not
have to be Buddhist to have daily meditation time, and I have taken it upon myself to do so not
only to relieve my stresses and find my inner peace, but also to be able to relate to Buddhist
culture in a hands-on way.
Many cultures believe abortion to be a sinful act, and believing the killing of an innocent
child to be murder. Buddhism is no exception, as Buddhist beliefs on abortion are very clear.
Author Robert Florida wrote one section of the book Contemporary Buddhist Ethics, prosing that
Ancient teachings and current religious teachers agree that abortion is a wrong act, that it has
grievous consequences for those who do it, and that it should be avoided purely and simply
(Keown, p.137). There are several Buddhist ethical principles concerning abortionone being
that the suffering of oneself is directly caused by each persons personal actions (Keown p. 137).
In simpler words: each person only further harms oneself through abortion. Florida explains that
beliefs of several philosophers that mostly disagree with abortion, and believe in saving lives.
One philosopher in particular wrote, We are trapped by our own selfish impulses of passion,
aggression, and ignorance, which cause us to be reborn again and again only to suffer, decay, and

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die. Buddha taught a way of life involving morality, contemplation, and ultimately wisdom,
which was so deep that it resulted in liberation from the cycle of rebirth and suffering (Keown,
p.138). This statement is a solid representation of the expectations for those living a Buddhist
lifestyle.
Florida cites one philosopherR.H.B. Exelland his research in struggling to
comprehend and properly interpret Buddhist teachings. Exell says that his research into the past
implies that many Buddhist leaders and teachers considered abortion to be regarded as killing a
separate human being, not just removing a part of the mother (Keown, p.140). While most of
the teachings today use traditional viewpoints on abortion and the subject of killing a fetus,
modern teachings generally say that there is a human being present from the moment of
conception, and that taking a fetal life [is] as serious a an offence as killing an adult (Keown,
p.142). While there are also some murky waters on whether a late term abortion is more
unskillful act than one performed early on in the pregnancy, there is always confusion (Keown,
p. 143). Though one is part of a group, organization or affiliation, they absolutely do not have to
believe every single detail that their colleagues do. Going back to all of our differences, no one
person is the same.
Ever since I can remember my Republican family has been pro-life. There has never been
an instance in which I have heard my dad or grandpa ever say that abortion should be legal.
Growing up in a Christian family, the though of killing an innocent child is vulgar and disgusting
to me. Children are a beautiful gift from God, and should not be killed because of careless sex.
My views on abortion are very similar to Buddhist beliefs on the subject, and I find myself
agreeing with a lot of what is said in their ethical principles. However, I also believe that
abortions are understandable in cases of rapewhere there was victim to an unwanted sexual

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actbut I find abortions to be wrong in cases of irresponsibility between two partners. Everyone
makes mistakes and everyone sins, and if I were in the situation as a pregnant woman, I know it
would be hard to stay true to my beliefs and keep the child, but I also know that I could never
agree to have my child killed. Buddhist beliefs on abortion go a little farther, discussing the
positives of pregnancy, in that a woman gets a chance at a more loving and nurturing experience
with a child.
After doing heavy research, conducting interviews and reflecting on all of my new
knowledge on Buddhism, I have found a greater interest in the Buddhist culture. In seeing both
firsthand and from my studies the similarities and differences between my culture and Buddhist
culture, I have a greater appreciation for all that Buddhists stand for. Buddhists get stereotyped
almost more than any other religion, and have to defend themselves because of their skin. It is
close to impossible for a Buddhist from the Middle East or Asia to walk through an airport and
not be searched. Buddhists put up with stereotypes and ridicule all over the world in many
situations just because of their heritage, and can not change anything about it.
Modern Buddhists live such unique and interesting lives, which leaves me in awe of how
society could put such judgment on them when their lives are very similar to our own. The only
differences between my life and theirs are their daily meditations, chants to bring peace to
oneself and their obstinate beliefs on ethical subjects. Everyones lives are very different. Each
person has his or her own quirks and things they enjoy that are different from others. No one
person is the same, which makes all of us who we are. In ridiculing Buddhists, we are making
fun of who they are and what they stand for. Due to the negative attitude many have towards this
religion, many people do not give it a chance and because of this fail to understand and
experience their unique culture. I am so glad that I chose to write my culture paper on Buddhism,

Running Head: BUDDHISM IN MODERN CULTURE

as it has tested me as a person to be more accepting of differences, and has given me the amazing
opportunity to experience Buddhist culture for myselfwhich is an opportunity I have never had
in the past and never see myself having had in the future.

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10

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