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Buddhism has people talking. From reactions to the Tiger Wood's press-speech wherein he claimed his Buddhist heritage to President Obama's meeting with the Dalai Lama this week in defiance of the threat from China that he should not. Buddhism, the fourth largest religion in the United States, has experienced an explosive growth. Current estimates are 1.5 million Buddhists in America.
The traditional ideas of Buddhism -- mindfulness, living simply, meditation and the interconnection of all living things not only connect with members of larger religious groups in the US, but also touch many who today would say that they are "spiritual but not religious."
Tiger and Buddhism
In January Brit Hume, Fox News Senior Political Analyst, (arrogantly) said of Tiger Woods, "So my message to Tiger would be, "Tiger, turn your faith -- turn to the Christian faith and you can make a total recovery and be a great example to the world."
In what may have been a response in part to that and others who may have lept upon that accusatory bandwagon, in Tiger Wood's public statement, he added:
“Part of following this path for me is Buddhism, which my mother taught me at a young age. People probably don’t realize it, but I was raised a Buddhist, and I actively practiced my faith from childhood until I drifted away from it in recent years,” he said. “Buddhism teaches that a craving for things outside ourselves causes an unhappy and pointless search for security. It teaches me to stop following every impulse and to learn restraint. Obviously, I lost track of what I was taught.”
Regardless of one's opinion about Tiger, it is the first time in recent years that a celebrity (other than Richard Gere) has brought Buddhism forward in the news at such a dramatic moment. There are, however, other celebrity Buddhists -- Herbie Hancock, Kate Bosworth, Leonard Cohen, Orlando Bloom,Steven Seagal, Goldie Hawn and Tina Turner to name a few.
The Dalai Lama, Obama, and China
Just to put some history to this - in the 1950's, China incorporated Tibet under Communist rule. The Dalai Lama was convinced by fellow Tibetans to leave the country, fearing that he would come to harm. In fact, most monasteries were vandalized by China, and thousands of monks and nuns were killed. The Dalai Lama has worked for a free Tibet consistently since his exile to India in 1959. The community of Tibetans in India has expanded since 1959. According to Wikipedia, "Tibetans have duplicated Tibetan monasteries in India and now house tens of thousands of monks. They have also created Tibetan schools, hospitals, and published the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives—all aimed at continuing Tibetan tradition and culture...In 2006, Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, has declared that "Tibet wants autonomy, not independence." However, the Chinese distrust him, believing that he has not really given up the quest for Tibet independence. "
Various presidents have met with the Dalai Lama. President Bush even gave him the Congressional Medal of Honor in 2007. That was promptly followed by celebrations in Tibet, and further crackdowns by the Chinese, including an armed barricading of monasteries.
When China heard that President Obama was planning to meet with the Dalai Lama, as have all other US presidents, they warned him not to proceed, as it would damage the US relationship with China. A sort of compromise meeting took place. The White House invited the Dalai Lama to a private area of the executive mansion rather than to the Oval Office, and did not allow reporters or cameras inside. Only one photo of the two men was released.
China swiftly. A statement released by foreign ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu, said “The US action seriously interfered in Chinese internal affairs, seriously hurt the feelings of China’s people and seriously harmed China-US relations.”
China says the Dalai Lama is trying to separate Tibet from China. The Dalai Lama says Tibet is part of China, that he just wants autonomy for Tibet. And the argument goes on. At the heart is a Communist regime's view or a powerful religion with an equally dynamic religious leader at the helm.
Buddhist Resources on the Web
Tricycle the online Buddhist Journal.
Urban Dharma a resource for Buddhists in America.
Shambala Sun Buddhist News and articles of interest (featuring articles now about teh Dalai Lama and also Tiger Woods).
Buddhazine The online journal for Buddhanet.
