SE-Asian-American who was raised Buddhist here.
The above posters who basically said "Western Buddhism" was created by hippies and Hollywood in the 60s are correct.
Monastic life - like in any other religion - is supposed to only be for monks and nuns, not lay people.
Lay people are expected to earn merit by positively contributing to society - working, raising families, helping friends, etc.
The above posters who basically said "Western Buddhism" was created by hippies and Hollywood in the 60s are correct.
Monastic life - like in any other religion - is supposed to only be for monks and nuns, not lay people.
Lay people are expected to earn merit by positively contributing to society - working, raising families, helping friends, etc.