Historical Development of Buddhism: Buddhism in Britain Flashcards
AO3: What does Buddhism provide another home for?
A spiritual quest as another path than Christianity.
AO3: What makes Buddhism’s spiritual quest unique?
Meditation is applicable to all and allows them to have a deep personal encounter with themselves.
AO3: How does Buddhism approach new members?
There is no missionary work and is non threatening - a ‘veggie’ dinner may be offered after a meditation session.
AO3: What about Buddhism’s history makes it appealing?
Its oriental origin and air of mystique after being practiced for over two and a half thousand years.
AO3: What about Buddhism’s freedom is appealing?
It allows followers to decide the level of commitment.
AO3: What does the Parable of the Blind People say?
He showed blind people different parts of an elephant and then tells them to describe it. They quarrel over which one of them is right.
AO3: How does the Parable of the Blind People link to Buddhism in Britain?
Being all things to all people is positive as long as they do not become ‘attached’.
AO3: What are NRM’s?
New Religious Movements have become visible since the Second World War.
AO3: What is the OBC?
The OBC has temples in the USA, Canada, the Netherlands, Germany and Latvia.
Has 25 groups and 11 temples in the UK.
AO3: What adds to the unique nature of British Buddhism?
Kennet, brought up in the Church of England may have become disenchanted with practices and converted.
AO3: How did British Buddhism adapt to its culture?
‘Feeding of the Hungry Ghosts’ which happens in July in Japan was moved to coincide with Halloween.
AO3: What did Kennet do about the scriptures?
Translated them into English and due to her musical background put on-top of the Gregorian Chant used in Christian monasteries.
AO3: What is one of the songs Kennet made?
‘Welcome Joyous Wesak Day’
AO3: What do other English groups chant?
At the Amaravati Monastery they chant in Pali with an English translation.
AO3: What does Buddhism in Britain sometimes reject?
The ‘orientalism’ of it, simplifying it.
AO3: How influential were Kennet’s changes?
Some have been replaced but remain an essential part of Western Buddhism.
AO3: What article outlines the metaphor of a tomato plant?
‘Is Buddhism like a Tomato?’ by Neumair-Dargay discusses Buddhism being transplanted into Germany but can be useful for Britain.
AO3: How does she use the metaphor of a Tomato Plant?
Symbolic systems of culture can be moved like plants.
AO3: What is a determining factor in transplanting Buddhism?
The leader.
How was Buddhism first introduced in Britain?
Sir Edward Arnold’s epic poem, ‘The Light of Asia’ in 1879 was a key event in the origins of Buddhism in Britain as it introduced an educated middle-class Victorian public to the life of the Buddha and some key teaching was found in the Dhammapada.
How was further development of Buddhism in Britain done?
A number of academic societies for furthering the study of Buddhism were founded at the beginning of the 20th century e.g. the Pali Society Thomas Rhys Davids.
Who was the first British bhikku?
Charles Bennett was one of the first people from Britain to be ordained as a bhikku
Who was the first British missionary?
The Sri Lankan bhikku Anagarika Dharmapala became the first Buddhist missionary in Britain and he established a vihara in London in 1926.
What was the first Buddhist Society in Britain?
The Buddhist Society, based in London was founded in 1924 by Christmas Humphreys
