Episode #218: Beth Upton, a former Buddhist nun who practiced extensively in Burma and has become an influential teacher in the West, returns to the podcast. She reflects on how the richness of Burmese Buddhism has profoundly impacted her identity and teaching style, and highlights the critical need to acknowledge and preserve its spiritual heritage, especially in the face of the ongoing crisis.
The prolonged conflict, she notes, has not only limited access to the depth of Burmese teachings, but she explains how it poses a threat to an understanding of Buddhist teachings globally, given Burma’s rich, diverse and unique depth of Buddhist teachings. She describes the challenge of interpreting suttas through modern cultural lenses, stressing the value of ancient commentaries common in Burmese Buddhist studies. Beth also believes that experiencing Burmese culture enriches one's understanding of Buddhism beyond just meditation techniques. She worries that reducing Buddha's teachings to “technique” overlooks the crucial relational aspects that are vital for spiritual growth.
She reflects on the generosity, warmth, and community spirit in Burmese Buddhism, which she has found hard to replicate in the West, but which offer invaluable insights into personal growth. For example, while Buddhist terms like karma and vipassana have spread globally, the key concept of ‘kusala’ (skillful action), which is so commonly referenced in Burmese Buddhist communities, is much less known. This concept encompasses a wholesome way of life, extending beyond meditation. The loss of access to Burmese Buddhist culture, she fears, leaves a gap in fully understanding these broader aspects of the practice.
“If we don't reciprocate, then we lose something in ourselves,” Beth says in closing. “We lose some authenticity or alignment in ourselves, on some level, and we know something is out of balance there. Whether you've directly spent time in Myanmar or not, if you are a dedicated practitioner of the Dhamma, then part of that has come from the Burmese tradition, and the dedication of the of Burmese practitioners over hundreds of years. So when we receive that gift, and we don't repay it when reciprocity is needed, we are not fully congruent in ourselves.”