Making Buddhism accessible to working-class people

[rug]

On 18 July 2011, Sam Mowe wrote a blog post on diversity within American Buddhism, “Tell Us Your Story.” One of the comments to that post led to another post by Monty McKeever, “Why Is Buddhism So Damned Expensive?” That comment read, in part,

"There is one thing about Buddhism that I find disturbing. Why is it so damned expensive? I have missed teachings because I just cannot afford the fees. I'm not surprised that Buddhists do tend to be middle class, they are the people than can actually afford it."

My own comment on McKeever’s post generated a lot of feedback, including “Zen Finances and Practice” at Dangerous Harvests, “Pricing Buddhism and Its Personal Cost” at Notes from a Burning House, and Mowe’s “How Important Are Meditation Retreats?” Mowe also asked me to write a guest post explaining my comment further, which I’ve been shamefully slow in delivering. Here’s my full comment:

"I would say two things. First, while it is amazing that there are so many free or low-cost online Buddhist resources, being a Buddhist is about more than just receiving teachings, isn't it? People also want community (Sanskrit, "sangha"), face-to-face human interaction. Second, retreats cost more than just their registration fees. Not everyone can afford to take a week off of work (not to mention caring for children or ailing relatives), fly or drive sometimes long distances to a retreat center, etc."

http://www.tricycle.com/blog/making-buddhism-accessible-working-class-people

Which raises another question. What is the role of class in belief or disbelief?

[msongs]

1. buddhist principles have not been adapted to US culture very well....the language used etc nt

[AmericaIsGreat]

2. Paying for spirituality is entirely idiotic

And anyone who complains about not being able to afford spiritual "teachings" is just being silly.

The bottom line is Buddhism, like all religions, attempts to "teach" you things it can't possibly know.

[zazen]

3. to me it's a question of some uninterrupted time each day

Otherwise, mindfulness is powerful when practiced precisely when working (be it for pay, caretaking, parenting, volunteering, cleaning one's house, yard work, etc.)

Larger consciousness doesn't need humans to spend their currency and countless hours for humans to become aware it. It's here already, in every moment--our little heads can either shut up and become aware of it, or not. Anyone who thinks attending a retreat is mandatory for "enlightenment" is, well, coming from an egoic perspective. It might be enjoyable, but is it necessary? I can't imagine a contemporary teacher who'd tell you that.

But it is true if you're frantically working two jobs and caring for infants and elderly parents and so tired you can't see straight, taking 30 minutes for daily walking or sitting meditation or yoga is really tough, though of course it can help with all of the freneticism.