Hardcore Dharma

March 20, 2004 12:10 PM

Dharma Punx, Hardcore Zen. Buddhism is so punk!
posted by homunculus (19 comments total)

In a book review in NY Times (for tomorrow), the reviewer cites from the book written about the founder of AA that he discovered some of his insights via William James, phil and psychologist, noting that you rid yourself of addictions by means of religion(s)....a higher power. I am always bemused that there are so many Jewish young men who turn to the "wisdom" of the East to replace what they had as youngster, and at the same time, having given up god, keep the Jewish ideal of Good Works and universal love etc etc... the number of Jews involved in Near Eastern stuff is way out of proportion, it seems, to the Jewish population...Look at me, ma, I am a good boy now and though I don't go to synagogue, I still dig rituals and am at one with the universe (atonement)...
posted by Postroad at 12:20 PM on March 20, 2004

When I was a student at San Francisco Zen Center back in the day, one of the priests there -- black robes, shaven head, and all -- was a habitue of the infamous Mabuhay Gardens. I remember one day as the priest was driving me home, he said: "I saw a band last night called the Angry Samoans. Great lyrics! Yahdeyahdeyadahyadeh -- FUCK YOUUUU!!!" -- while banging on the dashboard.

Long live raging emptiness.
posted by digaman at 12:23 PM on March 20, 2004 [1 favorite]

I've found that the Eastern religions speak far more to the "punk" and "hardcore" communities. Unlike judeo-christian religions which still have strong internal struggles between the authoritarian and their liberal factions, Buddhism and to a lesser extent, Hinduism seem to speak of a more personal - and liberal - relationship with spirituality.

Of course, it doesn't hurt that most mainstream Christian movements in the United States are so relentlessly authoritarian and dogmatic.
posted by aubin at 12:41 PM on March 20, 2004

Well, most punks and buddhists havea lot in common: they both consider themselves enlightened and talk a good egalitarian game while acting like snobs. Not to mention poor hygeine, bad clothes, and bad hair.
posted by jonmc at 12:44 PM on March 20, 2004

I am like so down with the four treasures, man.

jonmc: bad hair? you mean no hair.
posted by Slagman at 12:52 PM on March 20, 2004

jonmc: How little understanding Buddhism you have. Buddhists do not consider themselves enlightened. Enlightment is the goal, something very rarely achieved. As for the other ad hominem attacks, that's just unnecessary.
posted by shagoth at 1:01 PM on March 20, 2004

It's not Punk Rock. It's Monk Rock.
maybe you need an english accent to find that funny
posted by seanyboy at 1:01 PM on March 20, 2004

ok, not so much ad hominem as grotesque generalizations...
posted by shagoth at 1:02 PM on March 20, 2004

shagoth, have you ever seen a gutter punk? Have you ever smelled one?
posted by crank at 1:16 PM on March 20, 2004

Enlightment is the goal, something very rarely achieved.

Certainly not all Buddhists would put it this way -- particularly Zen Buddhists, for whom thoughts of "goals" in practice, attainment of some special state of consciousness, and so forth, are often considered distractions.

Distractions from what? you might ask.

Keep sitting. [smile]
posted by digaman at 2:50 PM on March 20, 2004

Shagoth, 'generalizations' implies there is some truth extant, whereas jonmc's comments reflect no truth. There are more buddhists in the world than xtians and I tend to think most of them don't give any truth to his statements.
posted by PigAlien at 4:07 PM on March 20, 2004

one who speaks of "ridding oneself of addictions by means of religion(s)" knows little about either.
posted by quonsar at 4:46 PM on March 20, 2004

one who speaks of "ridding oneself of addictions by means of religion(s)" knows little about either.
posted by quonsar at 4:46 PM PST on March 20

Word.
posted by jaded at 4:41 AM on March 21, 2004

Quonsar: William James knows little about religion? that has to be the silliest thing I have read in a very long time...gosh: and I believe in a higher power says nothing religious to the zillion members of AA?
posted by Postroad at 4:48 AM on March 21, 2004

Kill the wabbit duck buddha.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 5:10 AM on March 21, 2004

There are more buddhists in the world than xtians

This is not true by a long shot, I'm afraid.
posted by Mars Saxman at 10:48 AM on March 21, 2004

Thanks, Homunculus. The Doubtboy site alone is mu-nificent
posted by Twang at 2:08 PM on March 21, 2004

>> There are more buddhists in the world than xtians
>This is not true by a long shot, I'm afraid.

But Mars, everybuddah is Buddha. SO, the question is, is Buddha a Buddhist?
posted by Twang at 2:12 PM on March 21, 2004

I wonder if Punks for Bush also smell?
posted by Slagman at 2:19 PM on March 21, 2004