The Star Spangled Buddhist: Zen, Tibetan, and Soka Gakkai Buddhism and the Quest for Enlightenment in America

by Jeffrey Ourvan

Overview

“Ourvan offers a succinct but illuminating overview of Zen, Tibetan, and Soka Gakkai Buddhism."—Publishers Weekly

Approximately four million Americans claim to be Buddhist. Moreover, hundreds of thousands of Americans of various faiths read about Buddhism, are interested in its philosophical tenets, or fashionably view themselves as Buddhists. They’re part of what’s been described as the fastest-growing religious movement in America: a large group of people dissatisfied with traditional religious offerings and thirsty for an approach to spirituality grounded in logic and consistent with scientific knowledge. The Star-Spangled Buddhist is a provocative look at these American Buddhists through their three largest movements in the United States: the Soka Gakkai International, Tibetan/Vajrayana Buddhism, and Zen Buddhism.

The practice of each of these American schools, unlike most traditional Asian Buddhist sects, is grounded in the notion that all people are capable of attaining enlightenment in “this lifetime.” But the differences are also profound: the spectrum of philosophical expression among these American Buddhist schools is as varied as that observed between Reformed, Orthodox, and Hasidic Judaism.

The Star-Spangled Buddhist isn’t written from the perspective of a monk or academic but rather from the view of author Jeff Ourvan, a lifelong-practicing lay Buddhist. As Ourvan explores the American Buddhist movement through its most popular schools, he arrives at a clearer understanding for himself and the reader about what it means to be—and how one might choose to be—a Buddhist in America.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781634502894
Publisher:	Skyhorse
Publication date:	01/26/2016
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.70(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Jeff Ourvan is a lifelong Buddhist, an attorney, and a literary agent. He is also the author of How to Coach Youth Baseball So Every Kid Wins. Prior to working as a literary agent, Jeff was a magazine editor, as well as a corporate lawyer, public relations consultant, geologist, and commercial fisherman. He resides with his wife, the novelist Jessica Jiji, and their three sons in Manhattan.

Table of Contents

Preface xi

Introduction: Nirvana Unplugged: Buddhism in America Today xvii

Part 1 The First Jewel: The Buddha 1

Chapter 1 Under the Bodhi Tree: The Drama of Shakyamuni Buddha 3

Chapter 2 Zen and the Art of American-style Maintenance 13

Chapter 3 Tibetan Buddhism: A Crazy Little Thing Called Wisdom 23

Chapter 4 The Lotus Position: Nichiren, Daisaku Ikeda, and the Soka Gakkai 37

Part 2 The Second Jewel: The Dharma 53

Chapter 5 Flower Power: The Special Transmission of Zen 55

Chapter 6 Tantric Sects: Merit, Meditation, and Mentoring in Tibetan Buddhism 69

Chapter 7 Repeat After Me: Nam … Myoho … Renge … Kyo 89

Part 3 The Third Jewel: The Sangha 105

Chapter 8 Relatively Speaking: Logic, Ethics, and Zen 107

Chapter 9 Tibetan Checks and Balances: Lean in the Direction of the Dharma 123

Chapter 10 Like Fish in Water: The Soka Gakkai and the Mentor-Disciple Spirit 139

Conclusion: In the Next Present Moment: The Future of Buddhism in America 155

Afterword 161

Resources 165

Glossary 169

Acknowledgments 175

Index 177

Editorial Reviews

“Ourvan offers a succinct but illuminating overview of Zen, Tibetan, and Soka Gakkai Buddhism. . . . This highly informative book is especially suited to the reader who lacks a background in Buddhism, though it is also a satisfying refresher course for anyone with prior knowledge.” —Publishers Weekly

"Attorney and literary agent Ourvan has written an endearing field guide to the major sects of Buddhism in this country: Zen, Tibetan, and Soka Gakkai International, in which he himself was a senior leader for a time. At once a slice of memoir and an informal but well-researched history of Buddhism’s remarkable and growing success in the United States, Ourvan’s brief account touches upon personalities, events, and doctrines. VERDICT: An accessible history of modern Buddhism in America, Ourvan’s book fills a crucial gap, and deserves to attract many academic and nonacademic readers." —Library Journal

“Ourvan offers a succinct but illuminating overview of Zen, Tibetan, and Soka Gakkai Buddhism. . . . This highly informative book is especially suited to the reader who lacks a background in Buddhism, though it is also a satisfying refresher course for anyone with prior knowledge.” —Publishers Weekly

"Attorney and literary agent Ourvan has written an endearing field guide to the major sects of Buddhism in this country: Zen, Tibetan, and Soka Gakkai International, in which he himself was a senior leader for a time. At once a slice of memoir and an informal but well-researched history of Buddhism’s remarkable and growing success in the United States, Ourvan’s brief account touches upon personalities, events, and doctrines. VERDICT: An accessible history of modern Buddhism in America, Ourvan’s book fills a crucial gap, and deserves to attract many academic and nonacademic readers." —Library Journal

From the Publisher

As Buddhism grows in America, it can be difficult to keep track of the different schools that have penetrated the culture since they began proliferating during the 20th century. Ourvan, a Buddhist practitioner, attorney, and literary agent, offers a succinct but illuminating overview of Zen, Tibetan, and Soka Gakkai Buddhism. Organized in sections by the Three Jewels (the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha), the book tracks the historical and theoretical development of these three different Buddhist schools, their introduction into American culture, and the way they view their place in our society today. Ourvan’s experience as a Soka Gakkai practitioner testifies to the transformational effect of meditation that increasing numbers have come to know in recent years. This highly informative book is especially suited to the reader who lacks a background in Buddhism, though it is also a satisfying refresher course for anyone with prior knowledge. Agent: Jennifer Lyons, Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency (Jun.)

Publishers Weekly

Attorney and literary agent Ourvan has written an endearing field guide to the major sects of Buddhism in this country: Zen, Tibetan, and Soka Gakkai International, in which he himself was a senior leader for a time. At once a slice of memoir and an informal but well-researched history of Buddhism's remarkable and growing success in the United States, Ourvan's brief account touches upon personalities, events, and doctrines. VERDICT An accessible history of modern Buddhism in America, Ourvan's book fills a crucial gap, and deserves to attract many academic and nonacademic readers.

Library Journal