INDIVIDUALISM AND THE KĀLĀMAS: CRITIQUE OF AMERICAN BUDDHISM

Abstract

The aim of this short article is to examine American Buddhism and the emphasis it seems to put on the Kālāma Sutta, as well as exploring possible misinterpretations
some hold in regards to this Sutta. The individualism of American Buddhists is also explored along with some Americans’ insistence that the Kalama Sutta supports this social identity and how that identity may fi t in with the tradition of the religion. This article suggests that the modern individualistic nature of the American culture is not supported by the Kālāma Sutta and that this particular sense of identity is not found in traditional Buddhism.