Teacher who helped shape American Buddhism is still on a quest

This article was interesting in the pivotal role it assigns to Jack Kornfield in shaping American Buddhism. I knew his name along with Sharon Salzberg and Vipassana meditation. I didn't realize that he is "credited as one of the teachers who helped Buddhism take root in the West by making it palatable and relevant for Americans."

This distinctly American incarnation encouraged students to find mindfulness in all parts of life, not just in meditation. It was less religion and more practice.

"More and more, we're teaching meditation not as a religious activity but as a support for living a wise and healthy and compassionate inner life," Kornfield said recently. "A number of the people I teach don't consider themselves Buddhists, which is absolutely fine with me. It's much better to become a Buddha than a Buddhist."