Good reputation
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By TG Staff in Faith and Religion Published: Monday, 09 March 09 - 09:54 AM (GMT) Last Updated: Wednesday, 22 April 09 - 11:11 AM (GMT) |
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The Network of Buddhist Organisations (NBO) will hold its annual general meeting on the 2st March at the London Buddhist Centre in Bethnel Green. The focus of the day will be on young people and Buddhism. In keeping with many UK faiths (and other organisations), the age profile of Buddhists is gradually moving to the middle aged and beyond. The surge of hippies and students of the sixties and seventies who trekked to Asia or read books about Buddhism and became Buddhists have become the senior citizens of today, and have not been followed by a similar number of interested younger people.
This is not to say that young people have stopped being interested in Buddhism, just that the surge of interest thirty years ago has abated. It is still a common experience that many students visiting Buddhist centres and speaking with Buddhists show an appreciation for what they hear and see.
The changing age demographic has many causes and may be partly linked with the more general loss of interest in organised religions of all kinds. Some of the excitement about Buddhism arose because it appeared to lack the dogmatism, superstitition and oppressiveness that some associated with organised monotheistic religions and so was a welcome relief.
Since the sixties and seventies conditions have changed. Most young people have not experienced the same sort of Christian upbringing that their parents lived through, and hence do not have the same conditioning to react against. Western Buddhist parents commonly baulk at the idea of presuming their children to be Buddhists: they work on the principle that surely this is something for each young person to decide for themselves?
The Buddha does not appear in the Pali texts to have been interested in establishing a popular mass movement. He was motivated by compassion to teach what he knew to those with 'little dust in their eyes'. However, he did attract a growing number of sincere followers (and later, some less sincere followers).
Over the forty five years of his ministry he gradually created and extended a set of rules (Vinaya) which limited and controlled entry into the monastic community (Sangha) and governed the behaviour of the ordained. The vinaya rules not only include moral precepts but also govern the general public behaviour of monks and nuns. It is clear that the reputation of the Buddhist Sangha was, and is, an important consideration since it is its high reputation that inspires new followers and encourages material support - and shows that the Buddhist path 'works'.
It is from these elements of the Buddhist teaching that we can gain some useful reflections on the gradual decline in interest in all religions amongst young people. The best way to encourage interest and support is to show that a religious path works and inspire others through good and wise behaviour. This implies not only that practice should be the main emphasis for those who follow the Buddhist path, but that the broader community comprising those from all faiths and none should be given the opportunity to experience the presence and teachings of accomplished Buddhist practititioners.
If those who practise Buddhism exemplify the fruits of practise - then support will follow. If those who purport to follow Buddhism (or any religion) appear to be fractious, sectarian and dogmatic then even those 'with little dust in their eyes' will not want to follow or support them.
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