There is a common misconception or false belief that Buddhism, among other simplistically profound topics, have little if anything in common with modern technology (i.e. the Internet). Gather around an intellectual water cooler of sorts in a business or academic environment and throw out any of the following words paired with Internet or technology and there will more than often, if not always, be an obvious connection: military industrial complex, government, scientific research, medicine, business-to-business (B2B), etc. It's the lemon to lemonade comparison; not apples and oranges, here. However, when Buddhism and technology are grouped as ideas, topics, or conversational pieces there is a mental lapse as people tinker with a seemingly unrelated connection. I've witnessed many instances where business minded people struggled with the concept of non-profit and other similar cases where corporate types viewed eco-friendly and biodegradable as irrelevant to both their profits and standard vocabulary. And as such it's often agreed that Buddhism and technology don't go hand-in-hand; an unintentionally funny Dharma & Greg of sorts.
I disagree, however, and argue that the same one-dimensional categorization or juxtaposition fails in the following ways: (a) Buddhism is more about tuning-in rather than tuning out--becoming more functionally open to and aware of our world and others, functioning appropriately within the sphere of technological advancements; (b) the Internet is not only a modernly convenient and potent global tool but also a vital element in unifying people from all walks and regions of life into massive connectivity of positive sharing, information exchange, and open communication; and (c) Buddhism has not fallen behind technology but more so evolved, adapted, and pressed forward within our constantly changing world, recognizing the impermanence and interdependence between all things and people.
It is my fervent belief that Buddhism remains unchallenged and very relevant to the Internet for the central reason that it has not challenged or been challenged by the World Wide Web, and it has furthermore advanced with and interwoven itself firmly into the human experience.
This progressive characteristic of embracing whatever it touches or impacts demonstrates Buddhism's non-resistant productivity in an increasingly data depended world. The basic tenets of Buddhism, thus, provide a strong foundation for it to shine the proverbial light on something as complicated and algorithmic as said Internet. Examine for argument's sake the following: Tibet's venerable lama hierarchy and community of spiritual beings who are recognized as the "gate keepers" have for thousands of years studied, meditated on, diligently protected, and disseminated Dharma teachings to all sentient beings. The intensely dedicated process of memorizing Buddha's discourses, sutras, texts, and oral traditions combined with Dzogchen (Great Perfection) teachings and traditions were primarily done with human brain power and spiritual discipline.
It is my fervent belief that Buddhism remains unchallenged and very relevant to the Internet for the central reason that it has not challenged or been challenged by the World Wide Web, and it has furthermore advanced with and interwoven itself firmly into the human experience.
Dharma remained independent of outside circumstances and modern advancements throughout history. Simply put there were no computers back in the day, and the Internet only became a reality on September 2, 1969 when the first computer talked to a router and later on October 29 in the same year when two computers communicated via a router over a network.
Buddhism and Buddhists, for that matter, have benefited from many advancements throughout history. It's easy to see the benefits of many inventions and creative advancements in science and technology. The telephone increased connectivity and speed of communication, the car made travel easier and closed gaping distances, the airplane or "iron bird" brought continents and peoples closer, and the list goes on with the incredible achievements of Tesla, Einstein, Bell, and other icons of scientific greatness. Let us not forget that with modern advancements or technology came frightening realities such as nuclear armament, world wars, colonization, disproportionate income classes and commercialization, and most recently global warming. And despite whatever politics and propaganda are dredged up, China as a modern-day example of occupation, commercialization, and humanitarian abuses towards the sovereign country of Tibet demonstrates a worst-case scenario where the needs of modern advancements require cruel exploitation and domination of separate cultures and people.
People in general have benefited and empowered their lives with modern technology, and it is definitely a good thing. Ambulances save lives faster than horse-n-buggy, planes bring the world closer, and technology combined with global responsibility and non-partisan shareholding are imperative factors in averting the devastating effects of unstable climate changes and dependence on foreign and domestic oil. All the positives that can be made with modern technology and through the power of the Internet are merely further forms of positive growth. It's good karma for all world citizens on Planet Earth.
Let us not forget that with modern advancements or technology came frightening realities such as nuclear armament, world wars, colonization, disproportionate income classes and commercialization, and most recently global warming.
Therefore in consideration of all the wonderful aspects at hand, the Internet and its remarkable escalation of powerful connectivity, virtual digital content and rapid ease of transfer at mind boggling speeds, and its inherent ability to unify user communities on all scales while providing unprecedented information access is undoubtedly very relevant to Buddhism and Buddhists alike in conjunction with human beings as a species. But how then do we make the comparison or note the similarities between Buddhism and the Internet, in general, beyond esoteric and philosophical reflections? For starters, we can examine the relationship between Buddhism's here-and-now state of mind and the Internet's real time nature. Both approaches support each other and both designs benefit mankind. When the Internet is used to garner sacred texts and various publications by esteemed teachers, lamas, roshis, and masters, it brings Dharma into many networks, onto and into many monitors and hard drives, and ultimately into many lives. Prior to the Internet and Buddhism's appearance on the Western Front in this century, Americans, for example, would not have learned much if anything about Buddhism. Kansas was a very long way from Lhasa, Japan, China, or any predominantly Buddhist culture and country. With the Internet, however, Americans and the world are aware, knowledgeable, and accepting of what previously could've been viewed as a foreign, incomprehensible, and irrelevant religion. On the flipside, a Tibetan or any Buddhist for that matter from a once distant Asian arena can also be made aware of other cultural frontiers, learning in the process that humans are more bonded by their similarities than separated by differences.
The Internet has made the world aware of Buddhism and Buddhists ranging from His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso and Tibet's plight for freedom to Zen monks such as Shunryo Suzuki and Alan Watts and, furthermore, raising awareness of Buddha Americana through Dharma followers such as Richard Gere and Robert "Uma's dad" Thurman. Let us not forget Thich Nhat Hanh and his peace advocacy, unilateral calls for social justice, and pacifiism with Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. All this information, awareness, and ease of information access benefit everyone.
On the flipside, a Tibetan or any Buddhist for that matter from a once distant Asian arena can also be made aware of other cultural frontiers, learning in the process that humans are more bonded by their similarities than separated by differences.
By functioning within technology's limitless borders, Buddhism permeates ignorance and misinformation. Blogs, email lists, bulletin boards, chat rooms, and web sites enable Buddhism to connect with followers and non-followers in collaborative groups. This unifying socialization aspect supports the ideal of becoming one with all; relating to our fellow human beings as a part of us rather than separatist in theory and function. And finally Buddhism cannot and should not fall behind technology, choosing rather to embrace and utilize it as another tool or vessel toward fellowship with human beings while living a compassionate life. The Internet is what it is...a tool made by man for man. The intelligence and the wisdom reside in the original hard drive, our mind.
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