"The New Buddhism sheds new light on this recent evolution of Buddhist practice in the West. After briefly recounting the beginnings and spread of Buddhism in the East, Coleman chronicles its reinterpretation by key Western teachers in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, ranging from the British poet Sir Edwin Arnold to the Beat writer Alan Watts. Significantly, he finds that Western teachers have borrowed liberally from different Buddhist traditions that never intersected in their original contexts. Men and women now practice together as equals; ceremonies and rituals are simpler, more direct, and not believed to have magical effects. Moreover, the new Buddhism has made the path of meditation and spiritual awakening available to everyone, not just an elite cadre of monks. Coleman draws on interviews with noted teachers and lay practitioners, as well as a survey that was completed by members of seven Buddhist centers, to depict the colorful variety of new Buddhists today, from dilettantes to devoted students and the dedicated teachers who guide their spiritual progress. He also details the problems that have arisen because of some Western influences - especially with regard to gender roles, sex, and power." "Exploring the appeal of this exotic faith in postmodern society and questioning its future in a global consumer culture. The New Buddhism provides a thorough and fascinating guide to Western Buddhism today."--Jacket.
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