'Buddhist self-criticism'

Goes hand in hand with an introspective, self-examining philosophy. Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular could use much more of the same - including members of the hybridized cult of Crossanized Catholics.

"Buddhist self-criticism

Critical Buddhism is a branch of Japanese Buddhist scholarship which aims to reform Buddhism through critical examination of its practices and philosophy.

Many individual schools of Buddhism are criticized by other practitioners as spiritually insincere, including Sōka Gakkai, the Dhammakaya Movement, and participants in the Dorje Shugden controversy. The Zen priest Brian Daizen Victoria has accused Japanese Buddhist institutions of enabling the Pacific War in his book Zen at War.

The San Francisco Zen Center has been one focus of controversy in the United States.[1]"

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Buddhism

'It was not a sudden, new, unique revelation.'

Actually, Buddhism does offer a unique revelation about the nature of reality.

The concept of emptiness is very much in synch with the cutting edge discoveries of modern science, at the quantum level of discovery. With religion, it all depends on where one puts the emphasis - since it's hard to say that anything is truly unique in the world of religious concepts.

For example, there's considerable evidence that Christianity is the fruit of earlier Pagan religions, with significant influences from Greece, Egypt, and of course earlier Judaism.

Siddhartha Gautama approached religious practice scientifically, and advocated accepting nothing that was not proven through evidence and personal experience.

The fact that these experiences were based in consciousness and awareness hardly detracts from their authenticity - since all of science is based on these same kinds of discoveries.

While Buddhism is adorned with the same kind of mythical confabulations as any other religion, the core of this religious practice is not based in the least on superstitious belief - but is based on personal knowledge/gnosis gained through disciplined meditative practices.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%9A%C5%ABnyat%C4%81

Genuine Christianity. Not "fake" Christianity. The answer to everything.

Brought to you by the Inquisition, Pogroms, forced conversions of Africa and Asia, homophobic riots in Uganda, restricted Country Clubs, and piety of Jim Jones.

It's always the same: Somehow we are to judge Chrisianity by its promise, not actions.

Actions always speak louder than words. The bloody, intolerant, militant and prejudiced practitioners of Christianity are in absolutely no position to comment on any religion. None. Yet this sanctimonious drivel, somehow justified by a "Pastor," is actually passed on as truth.

As a Theravada Buddhist practitioner myself, I really enjoyed your article, Mr. Strand. Thank you for your well-stated thoughts.

After reading several of the other comments posted on your article, I think there is a dire need for people to study world religions, not so they will become religious, but so they will know what they are talking about.

Yeal9 said:
"Indeed, there are ideas within Buddhism that are so incredible as to render the dogma of the virgin birth plausible by comparison. No one is served by a mode of discourse that treats such pre-literate notions as integral to our evolving discourse about the nature of the human mind. Among Western Buddhists, there are college-educated men and women who apparently believe that Guru Rinpoche was actually born from a lotus. This is not the spiritual breakthrough that civilization has been waiting for these many centuries."

You want spritual breakthrough, if and when it comes, to be within modern, literate rationality. Instead, we will probably recognize it by its irrational, fantastic quality.

I just love the reality of a Buddist kicking Christian butt every week on the PGA Tour. The rest is none of my business.

"It is true that many exponents of Buddhism, most notably the Dalai Lama, have been remarkably willing to enrich (and even constrain) their view of the world through dialogue with modern science. But the fact that the Dalai Lama regularly meets with Western scientists to discuss the nature of the mind does not mean that Buddhism, or Tibetan Buddhism, or even the Dalai Lama’s own lineage, is uncontaminated by religious dogmatism.

Indeed, there are ideas within Buddhism that are so incredible as to render the dogma of the virgin birth plausible by comparison. No one is served by a mode of discourse that treats such pre-literate notions as integral to our evolving discourse about the nature of the human mind. Among Western Buddhists, there are college-educated men and women who apparently believe that Guru Rinpoche was actually born from a lotus. This is not the spiritual breakthrough that civilization has been waiting for these many centuries.
"

http://www.samharris.org/site/full_text/response-to-controversy2

Had Tiger Woods committed the sin of adultery with three different girlfriends in the same night as did Martin Luther King, perhaps then the media would be clamoring for a national holiday to be named for Woods and promoting him as a role model like they do King.
Hypocritically, the two-faced media constantly promotes King as a wonderful role model for the public, while bashing Tiger Woods for his unfaithfulness to his wife.
Martin Luther King's best friend, Ralph Abernathy, wrote that the night before he was killed, Martin Luther King cheated on his wife three different times with three different girlfriends in three different places.
Abernathy’s eye-witness account of King’s last day on earth was recorded in his original 1989 hardback autobiography, “And The Walls Came Tumbling Down” (Pages 433-441).
According to Abernathy, King spent several hours with one girlfriend in the bedroom of her home, several more hours with a second girlfriend in a motel room, and then beat up a third girlfriend in his own motel room.
Just hours later, King was shot, as he stepped outside his motel room to talk to Jesse Jackson.
Today, Jack Nicholas holds the record for the most golf tournament wins and Martin Luther King holds the record for the most unfaithful husband of all public figures in the United States.

"All elements of Buddhism were borrowed and taken from already existing ideas in India. Just like Christianity, Islam, and all other religions, it was formed from the beliefs of the present culture, a mixture of various trends of the time. It was not a sudden, new, unique revelation.

It grew slowly. The teachings of its founder were not written down by the founder himself but written down by many people many years later (four centuries or so) exactly the same as Christianity (60-200 years) and Islam (one generation), and then argued over due to the differences. It shows all the hallmarks of a mythical set of stories, happening into a religion as a mistake."

"The best sermons are lived, not preached". It is not up to us to decide whether a religious belief is right or not - it is up to the individual and what he/she does with that religious belief.

Example: I receive all kinds of religious emails from friends, but then I stop and think "What are they actually doing to help others?" Taking time from the emails to actually work with the needy, volunteer at a non-profit thrift store, a food bank, give transportation for a doctor's appointment or grocery shopping, babysitting for a single parent and other actions would speak louder than any emails that promote religion.

In cases of religion, I beieve that actions speak louder than words. Why can't we just wait and see what Tiger's actions will be and if those actions reflect his words?

Clark states: "Buddhism isn't an easy hole to sink even under the best of conditions..."

That's the whole problem. Buddhism is a works-based religion/ philosophy wherein the adherent has to strive to attain the goal. Whereas, in AUTHENTIC Christianity it's all about Grace. Man does not strive to reach God. God in His mercy has reached down to man thru Christ. Creator God, in Christ, offered Himself as a sacrifice for His creatures' sin, so that we could be reconciled to God and enjoy a love relationship with Him. Thus, at the cross, the righteous requirements of a holy God's judgment upon sin, and the merciful compassion of a loving God for His creation, all converged to offer us hope, forgiveness, and a new life.

'So where will Tiger be reborn???'

How about Augusta, GA? They say even the devas have a hard time getting in to the Masters, and have to apply far in advance.

On the upside of Buddhism, IMO no other religion in the history of the world offers the profound philosophical insights into the nature of man that can be found particularly in the Mahayana school, and Zen in particular.

Still, Zen is deeply indebted to Taoism - an ancient religion now unfortunately on the wane in China and elsewhere.

The non-religious aspects of Zen are particularly appealing to Westerners and the meditative practices can be quite beneficial. Whether meditation alone can still the raging fires of kundalini is another issue - perhaps he needs a more tantrically oriented school of meditation?

Christianity is obviously no answer - he's already got sufficient money and it's far too late to suppress his libido! Guilt will not work with this guy....

News reporters, columnists:

Quit 'using' Tiger Woods as your way to gain your 15 minutes of fame. Everything that needs to be said, has already been said. It's over and done with.

MOVE ON WITH YOUR LIFE. CAN'T YOU FIND ANYTHING NEW AND INTERESTING TO DISCUSS, INSTEAD OF RE-HASHING OLD, OLD NEWS?

sure - people recover from addictions even when they find themselves unable to believe in any form of Higher Power apart from the men and women they attend meetings with, but in recovering from that addiction all they are doing is addressing one of the branches of the problem but not the root. The root of the problem is the sinful nature that lies within man and only true Christianity ( not the hypocrital version displayed by so many public personalities ) puts an axe to the root by dying to one's self and attaining a new nature by the power of Gods spirit in regeneration.

repentance and Faith in Jesus Christ can create a new man out of anyone, even Tiger Woods (or spritually illiterate people like Clark Strand.)

Buddhism teaches karma or the law of cause and effect. As such, personal responsibility in ones words, thoughts and deeds are a core teaching of Buddhism. Unlike other faiths where acknowledging your shortcomings and simply say your pledge or believe in some "external" super being is all you need to do to be "absolved" of the negative causes you have made, is just too childish. Where's the responsibility in that? Because he is "feeling" the effects of his actions, he felt the need to make this public apology.
The law of cause and effect or karma is very strict, because of free will and his unlimited amount of money Tiger's choice will either lead to happy outcomes (enlightenment) or more pain and sufferings (delusion).
Of course, his future actions will be based on his faith (which ever it is), which will determine the result or outcome. Therefore, what we fundamentally believe in (religiously or not) determines our actions (karma), and their results.
At least, Buddhism teaches personal responsibility which places the total control of the individual's life in the hands of that individual thus offers a possibility of improvement or change versus
one that teaches dependency of something outside of oneself thus taking away one's ability to change one's destiny.

I agree with the writer that one must actually DO or practice one's religion.

There are various forms of Buddhism that have evolved since 500BC when Sakyamuni Buddha was born.

I personally like Tibetian Buddhism, which Padmasambhava brought to Tibet from India.

But Tigers mother is from Thailand which is the Hinayana form of Buddhism. That form I find tends to be more religious and gestures. Even though it can be used as a mass religion for the people, if practiced with intent it can be most usefull to transcend the mind or control the mind and the body urges.

My feeling for Tiger is that he is more of an incense waver and not a true practitioner.

However even golf should be played with mindfullness, so there is hope.

Not that I really subscribe to sex negativity, but at least it should be open and not hurtful.

"The Cycle of Rebirth

Karma plays out in the Buddhism cycle of rebirth. There are six separate planes into which any living being can be reborn -- three fortunate realms, and three unfortunate realms. Those with favorable, positive karma are reborn into one of the fortunate realms: the realm of demigods, the realm of gods, and the realm of men. While the demigods and gods enjoy gratification unknown to men, they also suffer unceasing jealousy and envy. The realm of man is considered the highest realm of rebirth. Humanity lacks some of the extravagances of the demigods and gods, but is also free from their relentless conflict. Similarly, while inhabitants of the three unfortunate realms -- of animals, ghosts and hell -- suffer untold suffering, the suffering of the realm of man is far less.

The realm of man also offers one other aspect lacking in the other five planes, an opportunity to achieve enlightenment, or Nirvana. Given the sheer number of living things, to be born human is to Buddhists a precious chance at spiritual bliss, a rarity that one should not forsake.
"

www.pbs.org/edens/thailand/buddhism.htm

So where will Tiger be reborn???

This an utter waste of time. Tiger messed up and he thinks the rest of the world cares about it. On that front he seems to be right that the rest of the world cares. But the reason why he put on the show is simple, he thinks since the rest of the world cares he should make some kind of apology would restore his ability to continue to make money. It is just that. Don't try to see anything more than that. Buddhism, Christianity are all just a whole lot of non-sense, and have nothing to do with Tiger.

Clark,

"People who have more or less unlimited funds tend to try to solve their problems with money. Even if recovery can't really be "bought," a really top notch team of experts can be. It remains to be seen if such an approach is as successful as, say, simply going to a free 12 Step recovery meeting for alcohol or sex addiction. My guess is, it's probably not."

Ah, a cynical Buddhist; I approve.

"But then, spiritual work always depends on the willingess of the individual to actually DO it. That is primary."

My take is that it depends on the individual's willingness to believe. For example, if one does not believe in Voodoo, one cannot be hurt by Voodoo. However, if one fervently believes in Voodoo, one can be hurt by Voodoo.

"As an idea, religion is virtually guaranteed to lapse into superstition and moral decline."

My take is that religions were and are born of superstition.

"As a living, practical reality in people's lives, on the other hand, my experience has shown that it has great power."

I would think that that depends on the specific religion. Some religions are more difficult to reconcile with the real world than others.

"As far as I can tell, nobody here is saying that Buddhism is "so great.""

Yes, I got sloppy there; I apologize to my many fans and sponsors.

"People who don't actually DO their religion naturally have no recourse but to brag about its superiority, about how it offers a perfect or flawless moral system or a path that leads unswervingly to salvation. If you've heard talk like this and been disillusioned by it, that's understandable. But that's your responsibility."

It's not a matter of me becoming "disillusioned" as I was never "illusioned" to begin with.

"Best not to listen to what religious people say."

If only this were possible. I can't read a news article without reading about "miracles", "greed", "hate", "evil", "gifts from god", "god's little children", "angels", "saints", "blasphemy", and on, and on, and on.

"It's better to look at what they do and how they handle the various challenges and problems that naturally come up in life. Sex addiction would, I suppose, be one such problem."

Yes, I have looked; I don't like what I've seen.

This is an entirely legitimate question, PSolus. I think the answer is twofold:

1) People who have more or less unlimited funds tend to try to solve their problems with money. Even if recovery can't really be "bought," a really top notch team of experts can be. It remains to be seen if such an approach is as successful as, say, simply going to a free 12 Step recovery meeting for alcohol or sex addiction. My guess is, it's probably not. But then, spiritual work always depends on the willingess of the individual to actually DO it. That is primary. As an idea, religion is virtually guaranteed to lapse into superstition and moral decline. As a living, practical reality in people's lives, on the other hand, my experience has shown that it has great power.

2) As far as I can tell, nobody here is saying that Buddhism is "so great." People who don't actually DO their religion naturally have no recourse but to brag about its superiority, about how it offers a perfect or flawless moral system or a path that leads unswervingly to salvation. If you've heard talk like this and been disillusioned by it, that's understandable. But that's your responsibility. Best not to listen to what religious people say. It's better to look at what they do and how they handle the various challenges and problems that naturally come up in life. Sex addiction would, I suppose, be one such problem.

If Buddhism is that great, why is Woods paying tens, if not hundreds, of thousands dollars to the Pine Grove Behavioral Health and Addiction Services for sex addiction therapy.

Could it be that Buddhism is simply superstition, and therefore impotent in the real world?

To my mind, this was the only one of the thirty-six articles and columns on the Tiger Woods apology that was worth anyone's time to read. Thanks, Mr. Strand, for a thoughtful column.

Yes. There seems to have been a mistake in the transcript re: "creation" and "craving." The latter makes more sense given Woods' Theravada Buddhist upbringing. In any case, the two words merely offer two ways of looking at the same teaching: if we cling to objects of the senses as if they had a lasting or permanent identity (i.e., if, through clinging, we "create" a lasting identity where none in fact exists), we suffer. Woods seems to have gotten that much Buddhist teaching down pat. Which is enough in the scheme of things to begin a recovery.

It's up to him whether it's a media show or not, but I'm inclined to give anyone the benefit of the doubt where making a positive resolve is concerned. Buddhism is explicit in saying that we should offer support at such moments. From a Buddhist point of view, his celebrity status is irrelevant, just as it presumably would be if he walked into a Twelve Step meeting and acknowledged that he had a problem. At that point, in both spiritual traditions, everyone stands on the same ground.

Those who believe Tiger Woods can't or won't turn his life around are, of course, welcome to that point of view, but it's not their choice to make. That's his work, as the Buddha taught.

hello.

I can't grasp the attention and interest that the Public has given to this simple man of a rich Golf Player.

So he "Cheated" (through sex or because he experienced pleasure, not Nirvana) and got caught? So the Institution of Marriage, which is a personal encounter (please read the Laws of the Marriage License it's under) and should not of have been in the Public Domain to begin with.

Those watching should be ashamed of themselves for being so nosy for budding into a private marital affair. And the "Media" ,yes, should be scolded.
The end is Mr. Woods gets a divorce and his wife gets to take him to the Cleaners and he will be able to exercise Visitation Rights. And Life will go on for this young lad.

I predict in four or five years he will re-marry (most likely to a black woman) hopefully with a Prenuptial Agreement that time around.

Rebirth, I believe, is a tenet of Buddhism. No doubt Tiger would like to be reborn as a male Muslim so that all women will become his slaves (at least four of them unless you are rich like the leaders of Saudi Arabia and then it is "harem heaven").

"Reincarnation is, I believe, a tenet of Buddhism."

This is a frequent misunderstanding, even among Buddhists. The Sanskrit term is "punarbhava," meaning "becoming again." However, according to Buddhism, there is no permanent self- no soul- to be reincarnated. A better translation offered by some sources is "rebirth" rather than "reincarnation."

Your life arises due to a set of circumstances and ends due to different circumstances; your choices, thoughts and actions create consequences and the circumstances for the next life. This is the law of karma, which is basically cause and effect. The Judeo-Christian parallel is the notion of the sins of the father being visited upon the generations that follow.

You cannot escape the consequences of your actions- they are the ground upon which you stand. Choose your actions well.

Who knew that Woods is a Buddhist? That puts the matter in a whole different perspective. The rules are totally different for Buddhists.

What you like and what you get are two different things in Buddhism. In fact, you take your next turn on the wheel to learn lessons that you have evidently forgotten in this lifetime. Unless Tiger can find some powerful way to expiate his bad karma he may spend more than a few lifetimes being betrayed and lied to and used as a sexual object before he learns the lesson.

What he did is a marketing ploy trying to get back some remnant of hi old image. I am sure he's sorry he got caught and had to get a PR firm to save his career.

Has nothing to do with his religion, it had to do with his not be able to keep it in his pants, the only person he needs to apologize to is his wife.

Nobody want's to take responsibility for his/her actions anymore, it always has to be some form of sickness or schizm, bull, when one makes a mistake we need to man/woman up to the problem instead of pointing the finger somewhere else.

Not creation ... craving. According to the transcript at pgatour.com, he actually said (or meant to say) "Buddhism teaches that a craving for things outside ourselves causes an unhappy and pointless search for security." "Craving" makes far more sense in the context.

Good article. One would hope Hume would read it and learn but it is probably too late to save him from his delusion.

Reincarnation is, I believe, a tenet of Buddhism. No doubt Tiger would like to be reincarnated as a male Muslim so that all women will become his slaves (at least four of them unless you are rich like the leaders of Saudi Arabia and then it is "harem heaven").