Buddhism in America

Lately, I've been thinking a great deal about Buddhism and how it relates to Western thought. I've also, not coincidentally, been reading a lot of older books on Buddhism, written by various turn of the (last) century Brits and have noticed they have a tendency to regard Mahayana and especially tantric practices as being impure and irrational, the result of Hindu superstitions finding their way back into Sakyamuni's rational religion. Over at one of my favorite blogs, there is an excellent post about how this tendency presupposes a "Protetestant" mindset, one in which a rational religion is overrun by ritual, speculation and supersition. it's a great post and a great blog. I'd like to write more, but don't have the time right now. so check it out for yourselves.