‘JuBus’ — Jewish Buddhists at Home With Paradox
The Los Angeles Times explores the contradictions inherent in the burgeoning religious hybrid. (Via Huff Po.) (Zen Judaism joke sample: "If there is no self, whose arthritis is this?")
The Los Angeles Times explores the contradictions inherent in the burgeoning religious hybrid. (Via Huff Po.)
(Zen Judaism joke sample: “If there is no self, whose arthritis is this?”)
WAIT, BEFORE YOU GO…L.A. Times:
The altar in Becca Topol’s living room carries a statue of Buddha and a garden stone painted with the Hebrew word for peace, shalom.
In April she celebrated Passover with a “Zen Seder” feast that opened with a modified Haggada narrative comparing Israel’s exodus from Egypt to Buddha’s liberation from suffering.
“I’m a Jewish Buddhist ? a JuBu,” said Topol, 37. “My Buddhist practice has actually made me a stronger Jew.”
While Buddhism has enriched Topol’s Judaism ? giving her a deeper sense of spirituality ? it has produced confusion in fellow JuBu David Grotell. Grotell, 41, is so worried about breaking Judaism’s ban against idol worship that “although I have a meditation spot in my home, as a Jew, I just can’t allow myself to put a statue of Buddha there.”
If you're reading this, you probably already know that non-profit, independent journalism is under threat worldwide. Independent news sites are overshadowed by larger heavily funded mainstream media that inundate us with hype and noise that barely scratch the surface. We believe that our readers deserve to know the full story. Truthdig writers bravely dig beneath the headlines to give you thought-provoking, investigative reporting and analysis that tells you what’s really happening and who’s rolling up their sleeves to do something about it.
Like you, we believe a well-informed public that doesn’t have blind faith in the status quo can help change the world. Your contribution of as little as $5 monthly or $35 annually will make you a groundbreaking member and lays the foundation of our work.
There are currently no responses to this article.
Be the first to respond.