Superiority Conceit in Buddhist Traditions

[Risho]

Best to consider one's practice to be the most ridiculous nonsense imaginable, and then get on with it. I stopped caring/comparing with other traditions long ago. Every religious practice is completely ridiculous to me, including Buddhism/Zen. We take ourselves far too seriously. But be serious about your ridiculousness. Just because it's ridiculous is no excuse not to practice it diligently.

-sT

gassho

risho
-stlah

[Tom A.]

Conceit in Buddhism

This looks like an interesting read for all Buddhists:

https://www.amazon.com/Superiority-Conceit-Buddhist-Traditions-Perspective/dp/1614297193

Anālayo claims there are four main conceits in Buddhism:

1. the androcentric tendency to prevent women from occupying leadership roles, be these as fully ordained monastics or as advanced bodhisattvas
2. the Mahayana notion that those who don’t aspire to become bodhisattvas are inferior practitioners
3. the Theravada belief that theirs is the most original expression of the Buddha’s teaching
4. the Secular Buddhist claim to understand the teachings of the Buddha more accurately than traditionally practicing Buddhists

Note: I can attest that Anālayo is a very thorough scholar and I respect his work very much even if I don’t practice his form of Buddhism.

“It is by diminishing ego, letting go of arrogance, and abandoning conceit that one becomes a better Buddhist,” he reminds us, “no matter what tradition one may follow.”


Gassho,
Tom
SatLah

[Jundo]

This looks like an interesting read for all Buddhists:

https://www.amazon.com/Superiority-Conceit-Buddhist-Traditions-Perspective/dp/1614297193

Anālayo claims there are four main conceits in Buddhism:

1. the androcentric tendency to prevent women from occupying leadership roles, be these as fully ordained monastics or as advanced bodhisattvas
2. the Mahayana notion that those who don’t aspire to become bodhisattvas are inferior practitioners
3. the Theravada belief that theirs is the most original expression of the Buddha’s teaching
4. the Secular Buddhist claim to understand the teachings of the Buddha more accurately than traditionally practicing Buddhists

Note: I can attest that Anālayo is a very thorough scholar and I respect his work very much even if I don’t practice his form of Buddhism.

“It is by diminishing ego, letting go of arrogance, and abandoning conceit that one becomes a better Buddhist,” he reminds us, “no matter what tradition one may follow.”


Gassho,
Tom
SatLah

Hi Tom,

The book was already mentioned a couple of weeks ago so, if okay, I am going to move your post over.

It is on my reading list too.

Gassho, Jundo
STLah

[Tom A.]

Yep thank you

Gassho,
SatLah