Jews & Buddhism

A friend recently asked by so many people of Jewish heritage seem to
be attacted to Buddhism.

This actually is confirmed by information from the publishing
industry. A report I read in 2005/2006 time period stated that the
publishing industry believed that there were 10 million Americans
buying books on Buddhism and a full third were of Jewish heritage.

So why? I have three reasons, but I'd like to know your thoughts.

I think there are three main messages in Passover which overlap the
four Noble Truths:

Life is suffering
Suffering is caused by Attachment
Attachment can be overcome
There is a path for learning this

So, in the context of Passover (in my opinion, the central ritual and
heart of Judaism), you have

1) We were suffering and we overcame
2) The four questions as Observations. Children are encouraged to
observe, and are therefore predisposed to encouragement, from
Buddhism, to observe their thoughts - the first step before one is
able to detatch from thoughts, emotions and judgements.
3) The four questions and answers (as well as the ritualized telling
of the Exodus story) reinforce the importance of learning. The fourth
truth, there is a path and it can be learned.

Elizabeth Pearce
www.ModernHaggadah.com
.