Dear Arch,
I really appreciate what you people are doing at Damtsig - but sometimes I think you miss the point. It stuck out at me like a sore thumb that the only reason Surya Das wrote in to congratulate Tara Carreon on her article was that she left him off of her "Western Buddhas List." His supportive note was penned in the vain hope that she might realize her "oversight." I think you could have exposed Surya Das' notorious fame-seeking there. I mean, Ram Das is there along with Alan Watts: the two big time popularizers. I notice that although she includes Donovan, she makes no mention of other possibilities with more Buddhist connection. What about Leonard Cohen or Allen Ginsberg, for example. Basically, the American-Buddha website is too absurd for words - so I can only respect the dedication of your writers in dealing with it at all; but isn't it a waste of time to give it space?
Mr. VanHorn,
I must agree: the American-Buddha site has the air of the ridiculous - particularly the list of those who would be Buddhas. However, as to not giving such material space, the Damtsig writers tend to regard it as a duty to deal with the full range of material seeking to exert influence over the public perception of Vajrayana.
Concerning Surya Das's possible motivation in terms of being accredited on Tara Carreon's list of Western Buddhas - we regret to say that we cannot deal with speculations, no matter how likely they seem to be. Damtsig concerns itself simply with the examination of actual words people use to make their points. I hope you do not find this disappointing.