Buddhism in Beat Generation Literature
When people say Californians are chill, they ain't lyin'. After the Beats escape New York and end up in San Francisco, they all catch the Buddhism bug. Eastern religious studies were all the rage at Berkeley during that time. And when that Original Trio o' Beats was introduced to Gary Snyder and Philip Whalen, they formed the Buddha Vibe Tribe. Goodbye ego, hello big mind.
Chew on This:
Gary Snyder was a real-deal Buddhist. He lived alone, away from the spotlight, and wrote extensively about the importance of preserving nature. Plus, he wasn't much of a partier—you can pick your jaw back up off the floor now—so he didn't burn out as quickly as the others. He read "The Berry Feast" at the famous Six Gallery Reading, where Ginsberg read the more explosive "Howl" for the first time. Snyder was very Zen about the event. He didn't mind being the wallflower to Ginsberg's Prom King.
Jack Kerouac's The Dharma Bums introduced the Buddhist concept of the big mind to mainstream American audiences. Not everyone loved the idea. In order to become part of this universal force, one needed to give up the nice home, the latest hot-rod, and hair gel. Not an easy sell for your typical 1950s greaser.