Resisting the Drift

Resisting the Drift

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Resisting the Drift
Resisting the Drift
Everyone says Buddhism has been “softened” for the West
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Everyone says Buddhism has been “softened” for the West

Adaptation is not the same as distortion

Sarah Barker's avatar
Sarah Barker
Apr 30, 2025
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Resisting the Drift
Resisting the Drift
Everyone says Buddhism has been “softened” for the West
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An illustration and close up shot of a woman, behind a glass facade beginning to break and showing large cracks.
Image by ImageFX. Prompt: “Distorted face in a mirror”. Filter: Abstract


Everyone says Buddhism has been “softened” for the West. They call it trauma-informed. Culturally relevant. Kind. Skillful.

But let’s be honest: much of what now passes for Buddhism in Western spaces is not just adapted—it’s distorted. The core aim of the Buddha’s teaching was not em…

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