[dAy2EWlg]

I think it takes a bit of weighing both sides of this or many similar issues, because, on the one hand, it isn't really necessary to keep repackaging the Buddha's teaching to fit every new trend that comes along, or to try and only extract those elements from it that fit the current needs that people have for immediate satisfaction.
On the other hand, the dhamma itself has no single shape or color. And if we imagine some sense of original purity to the teachings, picturing The Buddha sitting in a crowd giving a talk, then that is still just our own twist on things.

But it's like what happens when you put a chopped onion or garlic into the same refrigerator as a container of milk. If the onion isn't sealed, the milk will take on the flavor of the onion or garlic. Of course, the milk is still good to drink, but it might give your tea a strange taste. Similarly, I think the Dhamma or Dharma can take on an infinite number of flavors - as many flavors as their are sentient beings - and still maintain its original purity, even though some may not find the taste very agreeable.

The problems arise, or seem to have arisen, when self-proclaimed enlightened teachers come on to the scene, and do not carry on any tradition or lineage. I don't know if it really counts for much or not, if a tradition can trace an unbroken line all the way back to Sakyamuni, but at least if there are a few centuries where it is thought that enlightenment has been passed down, then I think that is good. This is an unfortunate aspect of Christianity, at least in America, where anybody can suddenly "feel the call of God" and set up a church and take people on all sorts of weird trips (and usually take their money as well). Noah's website very much reminds me of the "Punk" and heavy metal Christian rock band websites. But of course, this is only an outward form. Punks and monks have both shaved their heads.

This discussion really touches upon a number of topics that have been brought up here lately.