The lineage of the Buddha began some 2,600 years ago in India and has spread across the globe over the centuries. Many schools and traditions have arisen that teach the Buddha-Dharma for its purpose of liberating the mind from suffering. Uncontrived’s Guiding Teacher was trained and authorized in Western Theravāda Buddhism, and specifically the Insight tradition.
 
The modern Theravāda schools first developed in Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka. Their teachings came to the West primarily through Western lay teachers who had ordained in Asia with monastics from the Burmese Mahāsi and Thai Forest traditions and were given the authorization to teach.
 
One of these was Gil Fronsdal, who practiced in Thailand, was ordained in Burma, and trained further at the early Western Insight centers founded by Joseph Goldstein, Jack Kornfield, and Sharon Salzberg in the 1970s and 80s. Gil founded the Insight Meditation Center (IMC) in California in 1997.
 
Now there are Buddhist teachers with genuine depth and embodiment of Dharma understanding who have done the majority of their practice, study, and training in the West. This is remarkable after just 50 years, but carries some risks regarding preservation of the lineage tracing all the way back to the Buddha.
 
Uncontrived is particularly dedicated to strengthening Western Buddhism. We believe in the combination of preservation and innovation – staying true to our Asian roots, while accounting for Western culture and being willing to innovate in line with the Dharma. Our Guiding Teacher is well-trained in classical Theravāda Buddhism and has done deep retreat, practiced in Asia, and learned the ancient scriptures including in the Pāli language, but also has a Western education and cultural background. She is authorized to teach through a formal 4-year training with IMC’s Gil Fronsdal and Andrea Fella.
 
One feature of Western Buddhism is a notable number of dedicated lay practitioners who undertake long retreats, organize their lives around Dharma practice, or otherwise take on trainings and lifestyles that support deep practice. Western Theravāda has lagged in acknowledging and providing teachings and support for such people until recently, but now there are various retreats, writings, and communities emerging. IMC and Uncontrived are contributing through the development of a formal commitment called the Lay Contemplative.
 
The Buddha (Dhp 142):
Even though well-adorned,
If one lives at peace,
Calm, controlled, assured, and pure,
Having given up violence toward all beings,
Then one is a brahmin, a renunciant, a monastic.
 
 
Uncontrived is currently an online community guided by Kim Allen.