Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Richard Scott Wigton on 5th mo. 10, 2010 at 8:04pm

Excellent post Rosemary. I too am a Quaker who enjoys Shambhala Sun and Tricycle. I find their articles inspiring and informative. There is much I admire in Buddhism but the Quaker faith is one that truly speaks to me so I am not going to switch religions. But that being said I find that we can learn a lot from our Buddhist brothers and sisters.
First, you are right that the different sects of Buddhism don't attack one another in those publications--they do elsewhere of course but not in Tricycle or Shambhala Sun. Each presents their version of how they do things and lets the reader decide which he or she likes best. I think this would be a good thing for Quaker publications to do. There are liberal Quakers and Conservative Quakers, Christocentric Quakers and nontheistic Quakers, etc. We can all learn from each other. No one needs to go around sayings "We are the TRUE Quakers."
Second I think we do need to do more outreach like the Buddhists do. Having a Quaker magazine like Friends Journal or Quaker Life in bookstores like Barnes and Noble or Borders would be a good start. Plus it would be nice if they were a bit flashier but I don't think that is totally necessary. I think content is what matters. Plus I think it would be great if we made more of an effort to get people to go to Quaker retreat centers like Pendle Hill. Many Buddhist retreats advertise in Shambhala Sun and Tricycle. (Although I must say there are MANY more Buddhist retreat centers than Quaker ones! That is something we need to correct.) I would be interested in hearing other people's views on how we can grow like the Buddhists have.

Permalink Reply by Rosemary Gould on 5th mo. 10, 2010 at 10:19pm

Thanks, Richard. It seems like one of those insights which most Friends won't accept. The liberal Friends I know passionately refrain from all "proselytizing," although (I presume) they believe that our religion contains something of value that others might benefit from if they knew about it. Other Friends often seem to feel that they cannot tolerate all forms of Quakerism. Then we don't seem to have a lot of money to spend on retreat centers and publications. (I get a little queasy myself sometimes looking at all the expensive equipment those Buddhist magazines advertise!)

Yet I can imagine a wonderful journal. Perhaps it could be both beautiful and environmentally friendly. It would have an editorial board of Quakers from across the spectrum--Friends from Bolivia and Burundi as well as Britain and America--and would solicit essays from beloved teachers and ministers of all Quaker types. They would be encouraged to explain their own experiences and forms of worship and witness in great detail from the heart, and discouraged from reflecting negatively on other types. We all might come to appreciate each other more as well as presenting a more pleasant appearance to newcomers.

Permalink Reply by Richard Scott Wigton on 5th mo. 10, 2010 at 11:24pm

It is true that many liberal Quakers seem to loathe the idea of proselytizing. They seem to think that people should just find us by accident! Personally I think such an attitide is foolish. We should not hide our light under a barrel and I think a lot more people would be Quakers if they knew about us. (I, for one, would have been a Quaker YEARS ago if I had known about them sooner. But I didn't even know they existed until I was 45!) Of course there is also the fact that we are a small denomination of less than 100,000 here in America and are in danger of dying out over the next generation or so if something isn't done.
I do like your idea of a Quaker publication that has articles from all the Quaker groups. Maybe it could be called "The Inner Light" or just "Friends". It could be done!

PS: I too think a lot of the stuff in the Buddhist publications are very pricey. :-)

Permalink Reply by Pieter-Jan on 5th mo. 11, 2010 at 2:57am

That was a very interesting perspective you offered Rosemary. I have myself been quite engaged in Buddhism (most active with a local FWBO group in Belgium) a few years before I came in touch with the Quaker tradition.
Just a few observations though: the contemporary popularity of Buddhism in the Western world is pretty much a result from an enormous rise in general interest in Eastern spiritual traditions. The import of Asian religious thought to the West has an interesting history of its own, with strong currents provided by the first Orientalists, missionary contacts, theosophists and the likes.
I would however be careful in taking this apparent unified vision and harmonious coexistence of contemporary Buddhism too far as a parallel with Quakerism. First of all, the historical backgrounds are quite different. The historical schools within Buddhism were often de facto quite harshly opposing each other to legitimize their existence, and socio-political power structures (many monasteries were also centres of political power, the Tibetan tradition illustrates this quite clearly) had to emphasize "what they were against".
So the fact that one never reads an article in these magazines "why I am not a practicioner of Zen" is quite a recent phenomenon in the history of Buddhism, and as such, a contruction within a very particular context. The rejection of other denominations stood quite central in a big part of the classical Asian religious literature in general. Buddhism was no exception to this.
Not that it diminishes the importance of what you describe, but I just feel that Quakerism, much younger and recent in its development, and in no way enjoying a similar historcial background, has quite different challenges to tackle.
Having said that, I can fully relate to an analysis that the outreach from many Quaker groups is in dire need of dynamic and innovative changes. Finding ways of getting over internal divisions (which often, but not always, appear to be rather artificial, as this forum seems to illustrate quite well) would be a good first step no doubt.

Permalink Reply by Rosemary Gould on 5th mo. 11, 2010 at 8:35pm

Yes, I think it's true that Quakers are unlikely to have wide appeal to the same degree that Buddhists do today. Yet, I think Quakers are Buddhists are very much alike in having a long history (Buddhist history is longer, of course) of splitting and bitter disagreement and prejudice. That's one reason why I find the approach of these magazines so startling and inspiring. I don't think we can get over our internal divisions, but maybe we could learn not to be so disturbed by them.

Permalink Reply by Jon on 9th mo. 10, 2011 at 5:30pm

Great discussion.

 

It seems, based on what little I've read about Quakersim, that at an earlier time, Quakerism was much more popular then today. I don't think that we, as humans, have really changed that much. I think that what Quakerism offered in the past is still relevant to today and I know people hungry for it's message & experience. The question seems "how to introduce ourselves in a non-offensive manner" (by offensive I am referring to those religious types who claim your way is totally wrong, thus come join us.)

 

Imitating and adapting what others are doing, who are successful at growing their churches (without loosing one's Quaker character) seems promising. My list would include:

a glossy magazine like the ones you mention seems like a great idea!

podcasts.... (I love those things).

Great websites with great downloadable material.I belong to the "Becoming Friends" website/teaching tool put on by Woodbroke. It is a great intro to Quakerism.I think QuakerQuaker is great too!!

and.... maybe an old fashion style of outreach... is some sort of public presence. I am imaging a info table, with a tent behind. In the tent, a circle of chairs, that people could sit in to relax, pray, reflect, etc. A Quaker outside would explain nuts n bolts of how to use tent and the practice of "waiting on God". At the table outside, another Quaker could be present to answer questions, pass out a 3 fold pamphlets to those who want one, be a smiling face greeting those passing by. As a back drop, a banner. On the left: some quick read panels about Quaker's Christian roots and the Mystical path. On the right, Quaker's history of social engagement and current day projects.

Permalink Reply by Paul Ricketts on 9th mo. 15, 2011 at 9:16am

In Hinduism and Buddhism, the third eye is a symbol of enlightenment. For me the inner Light, is symbolically and functionally the same Light referred to in the word "enlightenment."