In seeking a secular spirituality without the so-called cultural baggage, many Western lay Buddhists are drawn to the intellectual discourses initially given to monastics, which, if one chooses, can be utilized without piety. Unsurprisingly, trying to apply these complex teachings in a worldly life presents demoralizing challenges for many individuals.
In the countries where Buddhism originated, a more adaptive approach is usually taken, with lay followers drawing inspiration from the Jataka Tales, or the bodhisattva ideal, rather than advanced teachings chock-full of doctrinal lists.
The Buddha, as a skilled teacher, recognized the inadequacy of a one-size-fits-all instruction. For some, he knew that simpler guidance would allow for a smoother integration of Buddhist principles, and was generally more suitable for lay followers. When the community at Bamboo Gate told the Buddha, “We have wishes, desires, & aims like these: May we live at home crowded with children! May we experience Kāsi sandalwood! May we wear garlands, scents, & cosmetics! May we enjoy gold & silver!,” he didn’t teach them Satipatthana. He taught them ethics and tangible subjects for recollection (SN 55.7).