03/06/2026
💡 What kind of world received Buddhism?
In our recent sessions of the Dharma Propagation in Western Culture course at Fo Guang Shan English Buddhist College, Venerable Dr. Juewei from Nan Tien Institute guided us through the fascinating history of how Buddhism traveled to the West and how it meets modern society.
In Session 1, we explored the historical conditions of globalization and the pioneer teachers, monks, and thinkers who first brought these ancient teachings across borders. Moving into Session 2, we took a closer look at the "Western Modernity" backdrop—breaking down complex modern forces like secularization, neoliberalism, and post-colonialism.
This week, our students tackled some profound Discussion Questions
👉 In what ways has Humanism shaped what Western practitioners bring to their understanding of Buddhism?
👉 Where do you see secularisation, neoliberalism, and post-colonialism affecting the way Buddhism is presented in the modern world?
Our students shared some brilliant insights during the discussion:
1️⃣ Humanism & Philosophy: We can clearly see humanism in how people react to the teachings. In the West, a vast majority view Buddhism primarily as a philosophy and a psychological tool for life rather than a traditional religion.
2️⃣ The Rise of Individualism vs. Real Happiness: While we can attribute the sharp growth of individualism to forces like secularization, neoliberalism, and post-colonialism, this isn't just a challenge—it is a beautiful opportunity. It opens the door for us to teach the Dharma in a way that encourages people to move past surface-level individualism and pursue true, lasting happiness.
As the Buddha originally instructed: Go forth and teach the Dharma that is beautiful in the beginning, beautiful in the middle, and beautiful at the end. Modernity might change the questions we ask, but the Dharma still holds the answers.
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