Dharma For Everyone

Once, when I was invited to teach in the West, I took my seat and looked at the crowd. The first person who caught my eye was a man with a blue beard. I caught myself thinking, “It’s a bit strange that someone like that would come.”

I quickly berated myself for being so narrow-minded and judgemental. The Dharma is for everyone. It is good that people from all walks of life take an interest in the teachings of the Dharma.

In fact, one of the main reasons Buddhism has not become as widespread as some other religions is its history of exclusivity. For example, in India, many factors contributed to the Dharma being lost, and one significant reason was that it was largely confined to the monasteries. It was not widely taught among the laity or shared broadly within the community. The lay community often supported the monastic community with offerings to gather merit and occasionally attended Dharma talks, but they rarely studied or practised the teachings in depth.

This lack of widespread engagement made the Dharma more fragile than it could have been.

In truth, we need Buddhists in all areas of society. Even if their conduct is not immaculate, simply holding something of the Buddhist view and way of thinking could have a profoundly beneficial impact on their drinking buddies, dance partners, teammates, lovers, fellow rappers, or enthusiasts of whatever pastime or lifestyle they may pursue.

Now, if I see someone who seems like a bit of an oddball or looks a little out of place attending a teaching, I’m happy to see them.

Drupon Khen Rinpoche
Autumn 2024

A Poem by the Barefooted Cobbler

Among the coppers and the rappers
on the beat
Among the farmers and researchers
in the field
Among the lawyers and the boozers
in the bar
Among the surfers and the singers
on the waves
Among the pilots and the stoners
in the clouds
Among the children and the inmates
in the yard
Among the players and the judges
on the bench
Among the strippers and explorers
on the poles
Among the truckers and the rockers
on the road
May we come to see in every walk of life