How to spread the Dharma without Preaching and Converting.

[Ben Le]

Here are my ideas about spreading the Dharma in Africa,

Here follows a modified email conversation between me and Justin Pargeter, an Anthropology lecturer from South Africa who's working at a University in Malawi.


Ben Le:

The organization I'm involved with is planning to start teaching Buddhism in Africa. But this is such a dangerous enterprise. The last thing we want to do is repeat the mistakes of Christian missionaries and cause the deep cultural harm that's been done in God's name. We want to give people a choice, a set of tools for personal development, whether they use it is up to
them. The system that i have gone through to get the knowledge i've gained, is very very far from perfect. I am the rare exception for having graduated. In fact, the African Buddhist Seminary where i learnt for three years is mostly seen as a failure. Not by all, but
it is far from successful in enhancing people's world view. Unfortunately what it seems most suited at is causing serious culture shock. This is obviously not intended. But as you can understand, the Chinese and esp Taiwanese monks and nuns who come to Africa with
the intent of helping do not have a clue where they are coming to. The Far Eastern view of Africa is very distorted as can be imagined. and they come here with the idea that they have five thousand years of the Right Culture that they can use to help suffering Africa with.
I am deeply grateful for the education i have received. But i fear that the methods used can cause more harm than good. I would deeply appreciate any ideas and opinions you have on this subject. My intention is to form a proposal of how to do it, using the idea of Ubuntu as it's base. Nothing is certain yet, but there are ideas floating around my head and the heads of some of the others.

Justin Pargeter:

Your problem is one that deserves thought, and one
that I have had to think about seriously since being
in Malawi. The civilising mission is doomed to
failure...

One of the most serious of downfalls with respects to
Christianity in Africa is its emphasis on conversion.
And not just conversion alone, but conversion at the
expense of indigenous knowledge systems. Conversion
brings with it the impetus to change, and change
dramatically. Cleansing, clothing and church inspired
morals following strict dogmatic procedures coupled
with the fear element embedded in these religions has
turned this part of the world into a collection of
faith-based zombies. What is worse is that this
religious virtuosity has come with serious economic
and political strings attached. Today there is not a
kilometer of road that does not contain a shop or
outlet claiming to sell soap in the name of God
('Tiyamike Mulungu' is a common header). This is a
distortion of reality. What is needed is a bit of
willingness to live and acculturate in Africa, by
people who are concerned not with conversion or
cultural change, but cultural understanding. Religion
is a cultural phenomenon, and no matter how hard we
try we will not be able to escape the inevitability
that it is not the 'other' that must change, but
ourselves too.

When I first happened upon Buddhism in Nelspruit and
earlier, what struck me the most was the peace and
serenity that surrounded the people and places in
which it was practiced. If people wished to call this
a religion, then it was one I would be happy to
partake in. However, Africa does not need another
religion. It never has. What Africa can do with, is
foreigners who come to live for the sake of living in
Africa, and not just to come here, get the job done
and then head on out again. People who come to embrace
a feeling and a multi-culture that is Malawi, that is
Africa.

It is not an easy task setting up new programs in this
place, especially not faith based ones. The reason
being that so many people abuse the systems in order
to gain and this makes it incredibly difficult for
people who do not have a lot of money, but still would
like to help out in some way. The issues in Africa
are, and will be for some time to come, education and
empowerment. I think that Buddhism would be beautiful
environment in which to raise young Malawians, keeping
in mind that you will never be able to change them
culturally, nor should you want to. The key is in
finding some kind of middle ground, some kind of
conversation between Buddhism and local cultural
values. One area where it could possibly work the best
is in the arena of the environment, and environmental
education which is a resource and a resource pressure
for all of us. Malawi is in dire need of an
environmental wake-up call. Malawians, you must
remember, are living for the now at the moment (and we
might envisage have done so for some time). There is
nothing wrong with this, it is just a problem at the
moment in that our 'now' environment is a resource
being shared not only by Malawians, but by the world.

Let us carry on this dialogue, these are some initial
thoughts, I will pursue others-let me know what you
are thinking.

[Ryan Vong]

This is very insightful, and I thank you for sharing it. It ties back to the question you posed earlier about what African Buddhism means. The idea of conversion will ultimately fail, so I am in complete agreement. The word itself implies that there is something wrong with the other's beliefs and thus need converting.

[Zi Zhui]

To attempt to convert the people of Africa to another religion would be very difficult. Christianity and Islam are two very strong religions that did (and is still doing) a lot of proselytising on the continent. That does not mean that Buddhist should be daunted in their approach to African when spreading the Dharma. Skillful means in the Buddhist way should be employed. We have already seen (as pointed out by Ben Le and Justin Pageter that the Christian way is not skillful. Although there is a lot in favour of Buddhism, one still need to remind oneself that Buddhism is sometimes seen as an Eastern religion. African people may therefore consider it as another alien tradition. My suggestion is rather that one should start by getting black people to re-connect with their pre-Christian traditional roots. In that way one can perhaps - as Ben Le suggested - "...give people a choice, a set of tools for personal development, (and) whether they use it is up to them...". This will also allow the people to develop their own "flavour" of Buddhism on a cultural level.

Another suggestion would be "wu wei". Ok I know this is a Daoist term, but perhaps useful. My explanation of this term is; "to much handling of the fruit spoils it'. Just let it be and let us do what we can. Buddhism, I recall with my limited understanding, spread into Asia over a time period of nearly a 1000 years (2600BCE.... As Westerners we should be careful that we are not impatient to see results immediately. The Dharma will do its work; whether we just simple practice it, talk about it or otherwise. Venerable Thick Nhat Hahn once said in reply to a question about violence: "Even if Buddhism as such were extinguished, when human lives are preserved and when human dignity and freedom are cultivated toward peace and loving kindness, Buddhism can be reborn in the hearts of human beings". If weas Buudhist simply do that the Dharma will speard by itself.

Amitoufo

[Lizzie]

Great discussion. I have lived a Buddhist life for about 10 years after meeting a Buddhist and reading just about everything Thich Nhat Hanh has ever written. I now consider myself a Buddhist having taken the three refuges but I have never been a great joiner so don't belong to a Sangha or go to a temple. Because of that. my comments following might be missing the point as I have not studied the sutras in depth. Anyway, here are my thoughts ...

To me, Buddhism is about less - dropping layers, not adding rules. I have always felt that mainstream religions are about being more of something. They are very prescriptive and lay out rules that have to be added into your life in order to get to a certain point. It has always seemed a bit like passing an exam - do A, B, C and D then you'll have enough points to get into heaven. That is why I find Buddhism so simple and so beautiful. It is up to you - your actions make the result - joining a group in itself is not enough. The teachings only point the way - you have to find the path for yourself. And you can't kid yourself with Buddhism - you are either mindful and engaged or you're not. You can't confess it away or make a large donation to make it OK. Getting to mindful is a lifelong journey.

I find it hard to tell people what Buddhism really, really, really means so I know I could not convert anyone when there is nothing I can say that gets to the heart of it. Somehow, "eat mindfully" just doesn't pack the punch that a fire and brimstone lecture about immodest clothing! (Thank goodness) The strength of Buddhism is that you can heal the world just by being who you are and practising mindfully. If you then become engaged with Buddhism at the core, the power is magnified. People see it, are attracted to it and want some too. That is how I became Buddhist and hopefully my practice will become such that others notice and ask me about it.

[Susmita Barua]

Lizzie you are starting out with the right mind-set. I do not like the word Buddhism ('ism part), prefer Buddha Dharma. Dharma means that (universal principle, truth or teachings) which upholds all phenomena together (in harmony). To me it is a way of life based on practice of mindful awareness that can bring us and all those who we meet much inner peace, clarity, equanimity, joy and wisdom. Buddha had a very scientific mind-set and he was also a profound thinker, he penetrated the deepest level of mind to realize the path (8 noble fold) that leads to ultimate liberation from 'dukkha' (the existential unstatisfactoriness and anguish of life)

I am reading again the very empowering words of Buddha from original Pali text "What the Buddha Taught" by Walpola Sri Rahula. Dr Rahula says and I fully agree, "the word meditation is a very poor substitute for the original term 'bhavana', which means 'culture' or 'development', i.e, mental culture or mind development. "
Buddha did not seek to convert anyone, he simply extended an invitation to walk the path he had out of compassion, and he did not ask us to believe in anything. All cultures and human beings irrespective of beliefs can accept five precepts and buddhist ethics of dana, non-harm, loving kindness, wisdom, and compassion. Buddha gave 84,000 teachings depending on the situation and the person, so dhamma is highly adaptable and no coercion or conversion is necessary. Aversion is as much a fetter as attachment. All dhammas are ultimately empty as is the idea of 'self'. Buddha wanted us to contemplate the impernanence of life, including death, so we can let go of difficult people, situation and turbulent emotions of ill will, passion, aggression gently.
Celebrate our precious human birth and nurture our potential to awaken in this life for the benefit of all beings.

metta to all

[Lizzie]

Your words have brought me comfort as I 'feel' Buddhist to the core but am not sure I 'do it the right way'. I was very lucky with my teacher - a student of Thich Nhat Hanh - who helped me understand that 'less is more' applies to more than just fashion!