The Unofficial Buddhist; A Path Made by Walking; Bluck

Robert Bluck [+–]

Durham University

Dr Robert Bluck is the Buddhist Chaplain at Durham University. A Zen practitioner and meditation teacher, he has worked in higher education for many years as a tutor-librarian and lecturer. While teaching world religions for the Open University, his doctoral research was published as British Buddhism: Teachings, Practice and Development. He has contributed chapters, articles and conference papers on Buddhism, as well as workshops and lectures to secular, Christian and interfaith groups. He and his wife live in Northumberland.

What is an unofficial Buddhist? Someone whose monastery is their living room! This book explores Buddhist-inspired teaching and practice for today’s secular world – but outside the monastic traditions of Buddhism.

The Unofficial Buddhist seeks to find a middle way between ancient and modern worldviews, religious and secular approaches, and Asian and western cultural attitudes. Drawing on traditional Theravada and modern Zen sources, it suggests practical ways of engaging with the Buddha’s ancient path of morality and meditation, leading towards the wisdom of awakening.

Western Buddhists often practise with friends or alone. Perhaps they have no local Buddhist centre, or haven’t found those nearby appealing – or they’re wary of organized religion in general. These ‘unofficial Buddhists’ have been called Buddhism’s ‘new pioneers’, exploring the inner territory of how to practise the Buddha’s teaching in the modern world. In both Europe and North America, they’re probably more numerous than any of the traditional groups.

So if you have been practising Buddhism without finding a local centre where you feel comfortable – or if you are outside Buddhism, but looking in with interest – you are probably an unofficial Buddhist yourself. If so, this book is for you.

Introduction

Part One: Drawing the Map

1. Four Truths – or Four Tasks? [+–]

Examining the Buddha’s teaching as engaging with tasks rather than believing in truths. Seeing and accepting things as they are, rather than as we would wish. If we can let go of our habitual reactions, we are ready to begin cultivating the path itself.

2. Looking for the Middle Way [+–]

Seeking a middle way between Asian and Western culture, ancient and modern worldviews, and religious and secular approaches. Avoiding religious dogmatism and aggressive secularism, and considering where to look for reliable guidance.

3. Finding a Local Path [+–]

How this might work out at a local level, wherever you are – and how this ‘unofficial Buddhism’ may be able to draw on elements in the local spiritual heritage, rather than ignoring or rejecting them.

4. Towards a Zen Path? [+–]

Which of the various traditions would be most helpful for the unofficial Buddhist? With due respect to others, the Zen tradition may be the most appropriate, since it can easily be practised by Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike.

Part Two: Walking the Path

5. Taking the First Steps [+–]

Wishing to let go of harmful actions and develop skilful actions, in line with the Buddhist moral precepts, we can become more aware of our habitual patterns of speech, actions and thought, and how we can engage with them.

6. Cultivating Compassionate Behaviour [+–]

Avoiding harming or exploiting others and letting go of obsessional behaviour. Replacing aggression with loving-kindness, grasping with generosity, over-indulgence with contentment, and intoxication with mindfulness.

7. The Power of Speech [+–]

Encouraging us to avoid habitual false, malicious, harsh and useless speech, and to develop instead truthful, kindly, gentle and helpful communication with others.

8. And What do You do for a Living? [+–]

Developing these positive qualities in our working lives, looking for beneficial and worthwhile ways to earn a living, and helping to support others and protect the environment by using our income as wisely as possible.

9. Focusing on the Present [+–]

Developing positive states of mind to support our practice. Becoming more aware in our daily lives of our physical body, our emotional reactions, and the thoughts which drift into our minds all the time.

10. Skilful Meditation [+–]

Four specific meditation practices to develop our mental equilibrium and a compassionate response to others. Mindfulness of breathing, loving-kindness, gratitude meditation and walking meditation are all described.

11. A Path towards Wisdom? [+–]

Our practice of compassionate behaviour and regular meditation can lead to understanding or wisdom – or simply being more peaceful – letting go of our habitual greed, hatred and delusion, and developing generosity, loving-kindness and insight.

12. All Together Now [+–]

Suggests how all this might be put together in our daily practice, both as individuals and crucially as a community – but still as unofficial Buddhists rather than any form of new and more official ‘Buddhist movement’.

Appendix

Verses for Meditation and Reflection

Reviews

Explains how to practice as a Buddhist in a western society in a way that is both authentically Buddhist and authentically western…. charts a much-needed middle way between imported Buddhist traditions that can be culturally alien and a vague Buddhism diluted by western consumerism…. essential reading for all those drawn to the Buddha’s teachings but not aligned to a particular Buddhist tradition…. describes a practice that draws on all the main Buddhist traditions, and is democratic, egalitarian, and expressed in everyday English…. makes the essential elements of Buddhist practice relevant to the western practitioner, with clear and succinct explanations…. Almost made me want to become a Buddhist again!
Revd Dr Nicholas Buxton, Director of St Antony’s Priory, Durham, and founder of Just Meditation

Buddhist Studies

Books and Journals in Humanities, Social Science and Performing Arts

The Unofficial Buddhist

A Path Made by Walking

Robert Bluck [+–]

Durham University

Table of Contents

Reviews

Related Journal

Related Interest

Search Equinox

Subjects