Re:Friendly Feudalism: The Tibet Myth (2003)
by DiogenesKynikos on Friday June 19, 2020 @09:13AM
(#23574165)
Buddhism is romanticized in the West for the same reason Christianity is becoming so popular in China: it's easy to romanticize other people's superstition.
In the West, people are very familiar with Christianity. It's mundane, and a good portion of the population views it as backwards. But most people have no idea about Buddhism and what role it has played in Asian societies.
In China, people are exposed to Buddhism all the time, and it's not exotic in any way. But many people in China view Christianity as some sort of trendy Western religion, and don't know how it's viewed in the West.
Other people's superstition isn't laden with the same baggage as one's own society's superstition.
In the West, people are very familiar with Christianity. It's mundane, and a good portion of the population views it as backwards. But most people have no idea about Buddhism and what role it has played in Asian societies.
In China, people are exposed to Buddhism all the time, and it's not exotic in any way. But many people in China view Christianity as some sort of trendy Western religion, and don't know how it's viewed in the West.
Other people's superstition isn't laden with the same baggage as one's own society's superstition.