The Mystification Of Buddhism In Jeff Wilson's Mindful America

Jeff Wilson’s “Mindful America”, chapter one provides a helpful historic timescale as to the development of Buddhist mindfulness practice within America beginning in the year 1844 up until the present. This chapter works to establish a foundation for understanding chapter two, which explores the mystification of Buddhism within America. The term mystification is used to describe the ways in which the connection between Buddhism and mindfulness are altered, reduced or disregarded depending on one’s purposes. In particular, I would like to focus on the ways in which the religious connections between the two are being modified because I find this rather remarkably bizarre. Secondly, I would like to discuss the gender implications of this process of mystification as I think that

To explain, Wilson states, “deculturizing Buddhism to make it available to all naturally brings it closer to being gender neutral” (Wilson, 73). To explain, as laypeople continue take on more authoritative roles than monastics within America, women’s status automatically expands (Wilson, 72). In this manner, it is unique and distinct from the Christian hegemony, which is embedded in America as it prohibits women from having authoritative roles. Perhaps this is one reason why Buddhist mindfulness is gaining popularity in America. In the American Buddhist context, women are not regarded as unable to become Buddhas or as merely dwellers in the hellish realms (Wilson, 72). Rather, Wilson articulates, “women make up a very significant proportion of the teachers and authors spreading mindfulness in American culture” (Wilson, 72). I think that this aspect of the mystification of Buddhism is a positive thing because it establishes gender equality and creates an inclusive environment for women to practice Buddhist