Buddhish Blog

 

I think this comic is an American stereotype of a Buddhist lay person. This represents a stereotype on how Americans view the Buddhist practice. The comic reads “Oh yeah! First to reach enlightenment… Right here, people! Woooo Baby! Eat my dust, ladies!” The understanding of enlightenment is misrepresented in this comic and I feel as if some of the Americans who practice Buddhism today do not fully understand the practices. Being enlightened does not happen over-night. In fact it takes many years for one to become fully enlightened and even then you have to keep practicing Buddhism in order to remain enlightened. Enlightenment is difficult to reach for many because you have to be able to fully understand the practices and what it means to become enlightened. I think this cartoon depicts how Americans want things to happen immediately without taking the time to actually understand how much time and effort it may require. In Brad Warner’s book he discussed “Buddhist practice is difficult and takes a lot of time, effort, and energy. But if you are ready to face reality, the real practice is there, and the real teachers are more plentiful than you can imagine.” When you are able to accept that you want to face reality, Buddhism will help guide you through the process. Although it may take an immense amount of time to work through the Buddhist practices the feeling of enlightenment will be worth it in the end. He also states that it takes years of practice and even after those years “you begin to accumulate little bits of understanding at some point these little bits and pieces begin to come together.” This cartoon definitely is a stereotype in the other direction. He is shouting with joy of how he has become enlightened quicker than his fellow Buddhists and the others have faces that look angry or envious which is definitely not a practice of Buddhism. This depicts Americans as when they achieve a certain state they tend to think they are higher than the ones who are still learning. This comic is definitely making that statement.