And what is wrong with that exactly ? Why is it a problem that people aren ' t practicing correct Buddhism when Buddhism itself has tons of sects that are just different interpretations and practices ? Individualized Buddhism is essentially no different than these sects , it ' s just people reading and learning about Buddhism and applying what they feel they should , what they feel is relevant and useful . If people are using Buddhist teachings to any degree to become happier , more mindful people then that ' s wonderful ! Gatekeeping doesn ' t help anyone and in fact only drives people away from the practice by making them think it ' s too much or that individuality isn ' t respected . Besides , if the scripture is so important to maintaining the purity of Buddhist practices , doesn ' t the Buddha himself saying that scripture is less important than experience mean that these practices are in line with the scripture ? These people keep what they find through experience to be worthwhile . To many people the cycle of reincarnation is outdated or irrelevant , they don ' t feel it ' s necessary for the practice , and they are not wrong . Results matter , not beliefs . If their practices are good then they will follow the path as well as any pure Buddhist .