Buddhist Burnley

Burnley is a fairly solid working-class town. Yet here, too, thinking Britons’ fascination with Buddhism is now ratified by the town’s own Kadampa Buddhist Centre close by its Central Business District. Such establishments are well-known is more metropolitan places like Manchester and Leeds, but demand is such that even the old mill towns are eagerly wanting a share of the East’s spirituality. I looked up its website. It offers meditation classes for only £6 a time. The meditation teacher is a Buddhist monk who

‘shows us simply and clearly how Buddhist teachings are relevant in today’s busy world, helping us use meditation in our day-to-day lives…they are very practical and do not require any religious belief to be helpful to us all.’

Herein lies the key to British Buddhism’s success. It allows one to attempt to fulfil one’s spiritual needs without having to do the unthinkable- become religious. How wonderfully does this pay court to our culture’s assumptions without denying our obvious spiritual yearnings. For a little over £12, more detailed workshops are offered. Again, no awkward theology to digest here- my existing needs are nicely accommodated by the available options:

-True Confidence and Self Esteem

-Sleep Well, Live Well

-The Art of Contentment

-Living Fearlessly

Who wouldn’t want to master these noble aspirations? The one workshop that does hint at being remotely religious, Sacred Mandalas, is explained thus:

‘A beautiful & creative practice, it is an extraordinary method for generating positive energy and good fortune.’

Phew. And if all these workshops and classes are too much, the centre provides refreshments at its World Peace Café and Shop.

I’m not knocking the place; I’m sure it does some people some good. It’s also a welcome contrast to the ignorant, default setting of apathetic atheism which the average Englishman so lazily espouses. Although the site goes on to explain something of Siddhartha Gautama’s religious beliefs, one might be forgiven for reckoning this website just another self-help group: ‘I have the power to change myself’. ‘Believe in yourself and you can be better’, etc.

The Christian gospel, in contrast, can never be about self-help and personal improvement. It starts from the premise that we are helpless, vile, corrupted and spiritually dead. This unattractive starting point does not make us feel good about ourselves, it cannot boost our self esteem and the promised judgement to come really ought to make us fearful. This is why Buddhism is thriving and the churches are closing. But the Biblical message of depravity gets not the final word. The Bible states:

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.(Romans 5:8)

This is why Christ’s Gospel offers better prospects than the Buddha’s Dhamma. The former offers forgiveness and grace because we are helpless; the latter offers us platitudes and ideals because it esteems us capable of helping ourselves.

 

Not the labour of my hands

Can fulfil Thy law’s demands;

Could my zeal no respite know,

Could my tears forever flow,

All could never sin erase,

Thou must save, and save by grace.

 

Nothing in my hands I bring,

Simply to Thy cross I cling;

Naked, come to Thee for dress,

Helpless, look to Thee for grace:

Foul, I to the fountain fly,

Wash me, Saviour, or I die.

 

-Augustus Toplady