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People in America have very different perspectives on almost everything (in regards to the world). One of these perspectives that I picked up on while I was researching this topic was how easy Americans tend to think it is to achieve enlightenment. Some Americans are under the impression that an individual can reach enlightenment in a very small amount of time and with very little effort. The picture above shows how four monks were meditating and all of a sudden one exclaims to reach enlightenment before the others. In my opinion, this was a very powerful statement in terms of the misconception of enlightenment. The false stereotype of Buddhism and enlightenment has caused many people, especially Americans, to believe that merely meditating and closing your eyes in a certain position is the quickest way to reach enlightenment.
In chapter 5 (Does Real Buddhism Exist in the West) of Brad Warner’s Zen Wrapped in Karma Dipped in Chocolate, he agrees with the stereotype that Americans have about Buddhism. Warner said, “You can’t build a bod like Arnold’s in the Terminator any faster now than you could a thousand years ago.” (Warner, pg.27) From this statement, I gathered that one’s enlightenment don’t happen within minutes or hours but it take devotion and steady practice to reach the ultimate goal that you want to pursue, which in this case is enlightenment. Americans also view enlightenment as a spectacular moment that is overwhelming. However, Warner disputes that and go on to say, “Enlightenment is not a cool experience you have, which you then file away with all your other cool experiences.”, and “It’s also not something that someone who’s gotten can now give you.” (Warner, pg. 28) Americans who decide to practice this faith need to realize that there are no shortcuts to achieving enlightenment. Patience, faith and good practice are all needed to achieve the end means.
