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Title: The Jew in the Lotus : Poet's Re-Discovery of Jewish Identity in Buddhist India, A by Rodger Kamenetz ISBN: 0-06-064574-1 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 28 April, 1995 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.41 (22 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Intelligent dialogue in the context of comparative mysticism
Comment: This book is a welcome addition to the collection of any serious student of religion as well as to anyone wishing to gain a fuller knowledge of Tibetan Buddhism or mystical Judaism. Based on a series of conversations between the Dalai Lama, Jewish Buddhists, Buddhist Jews (this will all become clear...), and various rabbis, this work offers a non-threatening, intelligent examination of the underlying spiritual principles of Judaism and Tibetan Buddhism. Simply being introduced to these concepts through smart, interesting, nonacademic writing is a joy, but especially fascinating are the implications of what the two traditions involved in the book's dialogues can learn from one another. Kamenetz and his colleagues suggest that Judaism, especially in the 20th century, has almost completely lost touch with its underlying spiritual principles and has become a mere social and ethnic comfort. Borrowing from Tibetan Buddhism's vigorous and well-preserved mystical traditions, the author and others about whom he writes suggest a reinvigorated 'hallowing of the everyday', much like Buber's (theoretical) view of Hasidism. In turn, Tibetans can certainly take a few cues from Judaism on how to preserve their culture in exile and how to integrate traditional practices into an encroaching global culture. Informative and easy to read: a great book!
Rating: 5
Summary: Buddhism and Judaism make history!
Comment: In 1990 Kamenetz, Marc Lieberman (a Jewish Buddhist - JUBU) and a group of distinguished personalities from the spectrum of Jewish religion (Reconstructionist and Orthodox rabbis, rabbis active in Jewish renewal, and professors of religious studies) went to Dharamsala for a four day meeting with the Dalai Lama. The latter had made the invitation in order to better understand the Jewish faith and learn the techniques of survival in Diaspora.
This book must be viewed from three different perspectives. First there is the dialogue among the Jews, which clearly points out the discrepancies between the different denominations. Second, the dialogue between the Jews and Tibetan Lamas and monk with the objective in mind of exchanging information, getting to know each other, pinpointing differences and similarities. And last, but not least, the interaction between the author and the two sets of dialogues, which will open a new perspective in his life: rediscovering his Jewishness through mysticism.
The participants were able to find areas of common interest such as practice of meditation, visualization, the intensive use of debate and study of ancient texts, the Kabalah as a parallel of Buddhist mysticism, the mandala and the sephirot. There are also significant differences: Buddhism does not accept the concept of a Creator, and God is viewed as Trugh, Reality or Emptiness; for Buddhism there is reincarnation, in Judaism it is a one-life-time-experience; Judaism is family-oriented, Buddhism is monastic.
The author comes to the realization that modern Judaism has been drained of its ancient spirituality by means of increasing secularism. Like in any major religion the tension between the "exoteric" (accessible to every practitioner) and the esoteric (restricted to a few members) is taking its toll by depleting the mystical elements embedded in spiritual traditions. Because of this vacuum present in Judaism a signifant number of Jews have gone in search of further "fulfillment," finding in Buddhism the roots of Jewish mysticism.
The Dalai Lama offers his piece of advice: "Open the doors and open them wide!" There is the need to reinforce the importance of revival of Kabalistic mystical teachings and practice of meditation. The lesson of survival in exile applies both to the troubled individual and the troubled nation.
This book is fantastic reading; it makes you wish you had been present at this historical, enlightening meeting.
Rating: 5
Summary: Great Book on Judaism and Buddhism
Comment: Roger Kamenetz, a poet and professor of English Literature at Louisiana State University appeared at the Borders Bookstore in my neighborhood. To prepare for his visit, I re-read perhaps his best book, The Jew in the Lotus.
The book is a journal about his travels with six prominent American and Israeli Jews to Dharmsala, India to engage in dialogue with the Dalai Lama. As I perused the eloquently written text, a key question kept entering my mind.
Why are so many individuals from North American Jewish backgrounds interested and involved in Tibetan Buddhism?
The persons whom Kamenetz meets and observes in Dharmsala are impressive people. They are not "flakes" looking to join a cult. They are educated and intelligent individuals searching to live a more authentic spiritual life.
They speak respectfully, often affectionately about Judaism and their Jewish upbringing. They did not find answers, however, to their spiritual quest within their own ancestral faith. They found answers, or at least a direction to search for answers, within Tibetan Buddhism.
In interviews with JUBU's (the vernacular term used for Buddhists from Jewish backgrounds,) Kamenetz hears repeatedly that "Judaism is not an accessible faith tradition."
The JUBU's acknowledge the profundity of wisdom found in Judaism. Many even talk on a sophisticated level about how compelling certain teachings found in Jewish texts and observances can be. They find Buddhist teachings, meditations, and practices, however, easier to learn and integrate into their lives.
Buddhism and Judaism are each religions that posses a sacred literature that is written in a language foreign to English speaking people. Both ancient literatures speak of events that occur in a historical context that also is foreign. Why do JUBU's find Buddhism more accessible?
Perhaps accessibility derives from the fact that the Dalai Lama and his cadre of fellow monks live monastic lives. Without the conventional demands of family, Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leaders offer guidance and attention to the individual at a level of intensity that most American Jews do not experience interacting with rabbis, teachers, and other communal leaders.
Perhaps economics is another factor. The American Jewish community in so many ways has priced the middle class out of active participation in American Jewish life. When one adds up the cumulative costs involved for a family to affiliate, to be a "good Jewish family" it becomes clear that many Jewish organizations and institutions are un-open and non-accessible to many American Jews.
Perhaps many JUBUs come from families where parents simply could not financially afford to educate their minds or nurture their souls in the positive experiences that Jewish involvement offers.
Regardless of the reasons, and I am sure that there are many more American Jews could add to the list, the existence of a large and increasing number of JUBUs should be a sign of concern.
American Jews pride themselves on running institutions and organizations that meet the needs of Jewish families and provides a sense of community to the individual. Are American Jews doing enough to make Judaism as a way of life meaningful and worthwhile to the individual living in the contemporary world?
The existence of a large JUBU community suggests a challenge that American Jews can do a better job in this important area.
In addition to The Jew in the Lotus, Kamenetz is also the author of hundreds of poems and essays plus three other books titled Stalking Elijah, The Missing Jew: New and Selected Poems, and his most recent publication the lower case jew.
Elliot Fein teaches Jewish religious studies at the Tarbut V'Torah School in Irvine, California.
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Title: Stalking Elijah : Adventures with Today's Jewish Mystical Masters by Rodger Kamenetz ISBN: 0060642327 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 01 October, 1998 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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Title: That's Funny, You Don't Look Buddhist: On Being a Faithful Jew and a Passionate Buddhist by Sylvia Boorstein ISBN: 0060609583 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 11 February, 1998 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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Title: Jewish Meditation : A Practical Guide by Aryeh Kaplan ISBN: 0805210377 Publisher: Schocken Books Pub. Date: 14 March, 1995 List Price(USD): $12.00 |
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Title: One God Clapping: The Spiritual Path of a Zen Rabbi by Alan Lew, Sherril Jaffe ISBN: 1580231152 Publisher: Jewish Lights Pub Pub. Date: March, 2001 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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Title: Zen Judaism : For You, A Little Enlightenment by DAVID M. BADER ISBN: 060961021X Publisher: Harmony Books Pub. Date: 13 August, 2002 List Price(USD): $11.95 |
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