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Humanistic Buddhism: Responding to Contemporary Developments

Abstract

A survey of social issues and challenges with a description and appraisal of some responses from Buddhist institutions

Key takeaways

  • If meditation, as a practice, is taught to be essential for the goal of practitioners in Buddhism, then it is difficult to hold the position that it should only be the activity of a privileged few.
  • Today, the study of consciousness has become a major part of cognitive science and Buddhist meditation has found a home in science labs.
  • One of the best-known centers for mindfulness is at the University of In the world of television, Buddhist meditation practice was part of an episode of the popular program The Simpsons.
  • Perhaps one of the most striking appearances of Buddhist meditation is in prisons.
  • What is the role of Buddhist organizations to such efforts that are receiving widespread exposure for the general public on the internet, television, and film media?