The Accidental Buddhist

The Acidental Buddhist
REL 1111
Book Report
The Accidental Buddhist by Dinty Moore When I first started reading the book I had a hard time following it, I think it was because I just didn’t understand his style of writing at first. I think part of it may have been his use of words too. I didn’t really care for the term “monkey mind”, I felt that it was very redundant and became very distracting to me throughout the book. I also felt that he was self-indulgent throughout almost the entire book. Also, I felt like he put his daughter and wife on the back burner in his endless pursuit of liberation. I had made a note of this upon my reading the book. I then scribbled it out thinking that it may have not been important in the paper, but the book later pointed out that he realized his neglect of his daughter and wife in his pursuit to the answers of American Buddhism. I’m sure that Dinty Moore would assert that it was not selfish however, since we are all one and the same and there is no definite separation of individual except in the mind. I think overall it was a good book though; he made a lot of good points that seem very relevant in my life at the current time which I though was very interesting. He points out that instead of focusing all time and attention on retiring, and getting that certain job, or certain promotion; one needs to focus on then here and now, the little things of life. This really applies to the fact that I get so caught up in my work schedule at Chili’s and feel like if my boss changes my schedule it is a reflection of my performance and is enough to make me not even want to get out of bed. Reading this book actually helped me see things as minutiae, minor details, and I actually laughed about my work situation. I get so caught up in grades and work that life will pass me by if I’m not careful. The fact is the manager was giving me a break because I work six days a week and he knows how much I put into my academics as well; it had nothing to do with my performance. I feel like the book helped me to realize a few things about my own life, and I am thankful for the timing of the reading of certain parts of the book. Additionally, the author seems very good at self-analysis and recognizes preconceptions as well as attachments and meditation struggles. “It is not his tardiness that causes my distress, it is my reaction to it-and any I can control my action. So, I am responsible for my own unhappiness.” The author points out Catholicism focuses on what we do wrong; and Buddhism focuses on the positive in us and bringing it more forward. It seems he is minimizing Japanese/Asian traditions in Father Kennedy’s vision, Kennedy is Americanizing his teaching. I feel the author is too concerned, almost obsessed with labels Christian/Catholic, etc... I thought it was interesting that my favorite singer Madonna was mentioned for her use of religious symbols in her videos. It was also cool that chapter 9 Theravada Buddhism was the topic, since we covered it substantially in class. I like it when the material relates to what we have learned in class because it cements what we have learned all together. Also, I thought it was interesting that the ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s donated some of their profits to Buddhist organizations and print Buddhist principles on their ice cream containers. The book also discussed the American temples being quite more extravagant than those back in Japan and other places outside the states, which you have pointed out ion class as well. Some more notes I made in my reading s were that most American Buddhist ceremonies begin early, much of the clergy seem to be American, and (side-note) the other uses a lot of analogies to monkeys, in fact he(Dinty Moore) is obsessed with his own mind-monkeys and with Buddhism in general Moore finally gets some resolution at the Theravada retreat in West Virginia. Also, he mentions the criticisms of his sister and co-workers. He goes on to discuss non-duality or “mind as reality” or what is one’s mind is an extension of themselves. “According to the Buddha we imagine we are different, but it’s only a trick of the brain that causes that perception of reality”, this is what I was referring to earlier. Moore also discusses enlightenment-realizing that all things and self are interconnected; which we spent some time on in class as well. All sentinent beings are potential Buddha’s and are not to be harmed. Also, he mentions Bodhisattva, which was discussed in class. The author found himself getting better at meditation since Zen Mountain. He also found Theravada to be useful. While at home he sat in a garden under his tree like Buddha. He also describes the student experience as Daid-Shi wrote in his book of ten stages and the ox, leading to enlightenment, which leads to teaching others. Also, in the heart of the Bible-Belt he observes Buddhism at Tricycles Dharma Center. Next he goes on to see the Dalai Lama in Indiana, stopping through in Plain City, Ohio; I thought this was kind of cool since I used to live in Columbus. He almost convinced some hippie type kids to go see the Dalai Lama instead of going to see their next concert in New York. As a side note though, I do feel a little annoyed in the reading that everything relates to Buddhism, it’s like obsessive. He asserts the Dalai Lama radiates pleasant vibrations, he also points out the importance of freeing Tibet. The Dalai Lama does state the importance of China as well. Dinty Moore gets a chance to ask the Dalai Lama a question, and it kind of sours the author on his new found religion. Dalai Lama Basically says the native religion is supreme, but outsiders can try to obtain nirvana in not so many words. He also states destroy your neighbor, destroy yourself. He is a Bodhisattva, the fourteenth Dalia Lama. The book discusses how the Dalai Lama remembers past lives and identifies objects from previous incarnations, or past lives. We saw this in a video in class also. The theme at the Dalia Lama assembly is “overcoming differences”. He also focuses on ecological issues, though he points out it is the younger generations problem now, we are old. Also he says to a Buddhist, one must understand “misconception of inherent existence. The author compares the religion of Buddhism to baseball. He feels his whole journey was a waste of time, becomes disenchanted with the project. He still travels to people home for meditation, and he is confused. He then meets Dai-En, and it is a woman, and she practices alongside unlike the men Bhante G., and Gesh-La, who want people to practice to become like them. He feels he is not Buddhist, but heads back to Zen Mountain one more time and realizes he is a lousy Buddhist, but it’s okay because Buddhism has room for all that seek its enlightenment. The book states that many Japanese prefer robot priests, and some Japanese come to America to study Buddhism. Overall this was an easy read; there were just times that I was unclear on what he was trying to get at. He also seems very cynical, and me being a very optimistic person, at times made it a difficult read. The book was in essence about a man who travelled all over the country to seek answers about how authentic could Buddhism in America actually be. He became better and better at each stop along the way, but faced many hurdles along the way as well. It was pretty neat to see what goes through someone else’s head in terms of religion, when it is someone who doesn’t necessarily agree with the West.