The phenomenon of socially engaged Buddhism in the contemporary world
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25178/nit.2023.3.9Keywords:
socially engaged Buddhism; globalization; global challenges; Sarvodaya; Thích Nhất Hạnh; Soka Gakkai; Daisaku Ikeda; Dalai Lama; Buddhism of RussiaAbstract
The article deals with the phenomenon of socially engaged Buddhism in the modern era. This movement is often called agenda-driven or socially committed Buddhism. Socially engaged Buddhism today is focused on empowering Buddhism to solve social problems. To a certain degree, engaged Buddhism can be considered as the main part of the growing Western Buddhist movement. At the same time, socially engaged Buddhism retains its ties with traditional Buddhism which is its spiritual foundation and source of inspiration.
This form of Buddhism first appeared in Asia in the second half of the 20th century as a response to the challenges of colonialism, modernization and secularization. The Sarvodaya movement in Sri Lanka can be considered as one of the first examples of socially involved Buddhism. It arose in the 1970s and started to integrate the Buddhist economic model into practice. Other organizations representing socially engaged Buddhism include the International Network of Engaged Buddhists, the Buddhist Peace Fellowship, the Soka Gakkai International, etc. A prominent representative of socially engaged Buddhism was the Vietnamese teacher Thích Nhất Hạnh, well known in the modern world. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama is also similar in his beliefs to socially engaged Buddhism.
In the activities of modern Buddhist organizations in Russia, there is also a significant element of socially engaged Buddhism — the commitment to actively participate in dealing with social problems and challenges. At the initiative of the 24th Pandito Khambo Lama Damba Ayusheev, the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia (BTSR) has been implementing the Social Flock project for more than 10 years. In Kalmykia, charity events “Kind Heart” are periodically held with the support of the Golden Abode of the Buddha Sakyamuni (the Burkhan Bakshin Altan Sume), the main temple of the Republic. The Buddhist clergy of Tuva take part in the promotion of a healthy lifestyle which includes both a food culture and the development of a morally healthy person.
In recent years, socially engaged Buddhism has become a separate field of academic research and has spread among Buddhist communities all around the world. The range of issues socially oriented Buddhists of different traditions of this religion deal with now includes: peacemaking, environmental protection, combating racism and xenophobia, working with prisoners, hospice care, fighting against the negative effects of globalization, gender issues, etc.
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For citation:
Ulanov M. S. and Badmaev V. N. Fenomen sotsial’no vovlechennogo buddizma v sovremennom mire [The phenomenon of socially engaged Buddhism in the contemporary world]. New Research of Tuva, 2023, no. 3, pp. 138-150. (In Russ.). DOI: https://doi.org/10.25178/nit.2023.3.9
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Author Biographies
Mergen S. Ulanov, B. B. Gorodovikov Kalmyk State University
Doctor of Philosophy, Candidate of History, Head, Department of Philosophy and Cultural Studies, B. B. Gorodovikov Kalmyk State University.
Postal address: Office 111, 11 Pushkin St., 358000 Elista, Russian Federation.
Tel.: +7 (961) 541-11-38.
E-mail: ulanov1974@mail.ru
Valeriy N. Badmaev, B. B. Gorodovikov Kalmyk State University
Doctor of Philosophy, Professor, Department of Philosophy and Cultural Studies, B. B. Gorodovikov Kalmyk State University.
Postal address: Office 111, 11 Pushkin St., 358000 Elista, Russian Federation.
Tel.: +7 (961) 844-37-73.
E-mail: badmav07@yandex.ru
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