The aim of this article is to shed some light, as far as it is possible at the present time, on the part played by Jews in the spread of Buddhism since its arrival in the west as a religious practice. We shall also take a look at the “special case” of Jewish Buddhists (JuBu) among Jewish converts and suggest a tentative definition.
It is more than 120 years now since Buddhism began to get a foothold in western countries and began, slowly and steadily, to become at home here. The first historically-attested convert on the soil of the USA was Charles T. Strauss who, at the 1893 “World Parliament of Religions” in Chicago, declared his conversion to Buddhism and took his Buddhist vow in a small, solemn ceremony in the present of an Asian master. Strauss came from New York and was the son of Jewish parents. After this key event, Buddha-Dharma, the “doctrine of the Enlightened One” seems to have exercised a remarkable power of attraction for many Jews. Thus Buddhism owes its transformation and growth in the west to many intermediaries with a Jewish background: Philipp Kapleau, Bernard Glassman, Nyanaponika Mahathera, Ayya Khema, Jack Kornfield, Joseph Goldstein, Sharon Salzberg, Sylvia Boorstein, Rabbi Alan Lew, Nathan Katz, Lama Surya Das, Thubten Chödron, to name but a few.
A glance at the Buddhist centres of the great east and west coast cities of the USA shows that up to 30% of their members are of Jewish descent. The renowned Buddhist master Chogyam Trungpa, from Tibet, once joked that there were so many Jews among his disciples that he would be able to found a special Buddhist school for them, the “Oy Vey School of Buddhism”. In these centres, some of the members assert that they are “passionate Buddhists” and “faithful Jews” at one and the same time. This phenomenon of “Jewish Buddhists” has become so widespread and striking since the boom of eastern wisdom teachings in the 1960s and 1970s that a specific term has established itself in the USA (not without resistance), namely, “JuBus” or “JewBus” as an abbreviation for “Jewish Buddhists”.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Who is a "JuBu"? Attempt at a definition
- How "Buddhists with a Jewish background" gradually became "JuBus".
- Jewish Buddhists in Germany
- Birth and development of a JuBu phenomenon in the USA
- The adaptation of a Buddhist way of life in present-day Israel
- What makes Buddhism so attractive to Jews?
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This article aims to explore the role of Jews in the spread of Buddhism in the West, focusing on the phenomenon of "Jewish Buddhists" ("JuBus"). It seeks to provide a definition of "JuBu" and examine the reasons behind the attraction of Buddhism to Jews, considering the apparent contradictions between the two religions.
- The role of Jews in the dissemination of Buddhism in the West.
- Defining the term "JuBu" and the diverse experiences within this group.
- The paradoxical appeal of Buddhism to Jews, given the differences in their religious doctrines and practices.
- Exploration of the historical development of the JuBu phenomenon in different regions (Germany, USA, Israel).
- Examination of the ways in which Jews integrate Buddhist and Jewish practices into their lives.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the historical context of Buddhism's growth in Western countries, highlighting the significant involvement of Jewish converts. It introduces the term "JuBu" (Jewish Buddhist) and the increasing prevalence of this identity, particularly in the USA, noting the apparent paradox of combining seemingly contradictory religious practices. The chapter uses anecdotes and statistics to illustrate the scale of this phenomenon and sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the reasons behind it. The chapter also briefly touches upon the seeming paradox of Jews adopting Buddhism, given their history of resisting assimilation.
2. Who is a "JuBu"? Attempt at a definition: This chapter grapples with the complexities of defining "JuBu," acknowledging the wide spectrum of beliefs and practices within this group. It highlights the challenges of creating a universally accepted definition due to the diverse interpretations of both Buddhism and Judaism. The chapter uses examples of prominent figures, such as Rabbi Alan Lew and Nathan Katz, who, while deeply involved with Buddhist practices, ultimately identified primarily as Jews, illustrating the diverse ways individuals engage with both religions. The origin of the term "JuBu" is also explored, tracing it back to its usage by Rodger Kamenetz and Marc Liebermann. The chapter concludes by questioning the very definition of being a Jew and a Buddhist, emphasizing the fluidity and personal nature of this identity.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Jewish Buddhists, JuBu, Buddhism, Judaism, religious conversion, syncretism, cultural assimilation, Jewish identity, Buddhist practices, interfaith dialogue, Western Buddhism, spiritual practice.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is this text about?
This text is a comprehensive preview of a longer work exploring the phenomenon of "Jewish Buddhists" (JuBus). It delves into the definition of JuBu, the reasons behind the attraction of Buddhism to Jews, and the historical development of this group in different regions (Germany, USA, Israel).
What is a "JuBu"?
The text grapples with defining "JuBu," acknowledging the wide spectrum of beliefs and practices within this group. It highlights the challenges of creating a universally accepted definition due to diverse interpretations of both Buddhism and Judaism. Examples of individuals who identify with both faiths, but in varying degrees, are used to illustrate the complexities of this identity.
Why are Jews drawn to Buddhism?
The text explores the paradoxical appeal of Buddhism to Jews, considering the apparent contradictions between the two religions. It examines the reasons behind this attraction, acknowledging the diverse motivations and experiences within the JuBu community.
Where did the term "JuBu" originate?
The origin of the term "JuBu" is traced back to its usage by Rodger Kamenetz and Marc Liebermann. The text explores the evolution and usage of this term within the relevant scholarly and popular communities.
What are the key themes explored in the text?
Key themes include the role of Jews in the dissemination of Buddhism in the West, defining "JuBu" and the diverse experiences within this group, the paradoxical appeal of Buddhism to Jews, the historical development of the JuBu phenomenon in different regions, and the integration of Buddhist and Jewish practices into the lives of individuals.
What regions are specifically examined in the text?
The text focuses on the historical development of the JuBu phenomenon in Germany, the USA, and Israel, offering insights into the specific cultural and religious contexts of each region.
What is the objective of this text?
The article aims to explore the role of Jews in the spread of Buddhism in the West, focusing on the phenomenon of "Jewish Buddhists" ("JuBus"). It seeks to define "JuBu" and examine the reasons behind the attraction of Buddhism to Jews, considering the apparent contradictions between the two religions.
What is included in the preview?
This preview includes the title, table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords of the main text.
What are some key words associated with this text?
Key words include: Jewish Buddhists, JuBu, Buddhism, Judaism, religious conversion, syncretism, cultural assimilation, Jewish identity, Buddhist practices, interfaith dialogue, Western Buddhism, spiritual practice.
What does the introduction cover?
The introduction establishes the historical context of Buddhism's growth in Western countries, highlights the significant involvement of Jewish converts, introduces the term "JuBu," and sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the reasons behind this phenomenon.
What does the chapter on defining "JuBu" cover?
This chapter addresses the complexities of defining "JuBu," acknowledging the wide spectrum of beliefs and practices within the group and using examples of prominent figures to illustrate the diverse ways individuals engage with both religions.
- Quote paper
- Frank Drescher (Author), 2012, Jewish Converts to Buddhism and the Phenomenon of "Jewish Buddhists" ("JuBus") in the United States, Germany and Israel, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/374134
