[Buddha-l] Unpopular Buddhism

[Jackhat1 at aol.com]

In a message dated 9/23/2010 2:29:40 P.M. Central Daylight Time,  
Jackhat1 at aol.com writes:

Thanks  for the article reference. I read it in the following way. "True 
Buddhism" as  the Buddha taught is different than the Buddhism sullied by 
cultural  accumulations, need for consolation and turned into an institutional 
religion.  This latter Buddhism is what Westerners have trouble with because 
it does  require "denial of one's cultural upbringing" and  irrationality.
 
==
A friend of mine who is a Deacon in the Catholic Church recently returned  
from Japan where he visited several Buddhist temples. He said from a 
distance  the service looked just like the ones he led back home. For instance, the 
 Buddhist priest had a long feather he used to bless the congregation as he 
 walked up and down the aisles. It has interested me lately how religions  
vary from their roots over time and add various rites and rituals little  
different from other denominations. Can you refer me to some books and 
articles  that describe this?
 
Here is an interesting bit about self deception: 
_http://www.ted.com/talks/michael_shermer_the_pattern_behind_self_deception.html_ 
(http://www.ted.com/talks/michael_shermer_the_pattern_behind_self_deception.html) 
 
 
jack