12 Mk Q Model An Unit Unit 6.2 Contemorary Society + Buddhism

2 Assess the significance of Buddhist teachings that underpin involvement and support in and for liberationist approaches to religion and society. (12) 

2 Assess the view that Buddhist teachings underpin involvement and support in and for religious freedom, religious tolerance, and pluralism for Buddhists in a multicultural society. (12)

Mahayana sources an

 2 Assess the strenghts of the claim that Buddhist teaching underpins involvement and support in interfaith dialogue for Buddhists in a multicultural society. (12)

In Theravada

2 Assess the weaknesses of Theravada Buddhists teachings encourage interfaith dialogue in a multicultural society in Sri Lanaka and Myanmar (12)

2 Assess how far it can be said that for Mahayana Buddhists interfaith dialogue in a multicultural society in Japan and Tibet, Nepal and China is important. (12)

2 Assess the success or otherwise of the ways that Buddhists respond to diversity in different traditions of Buddhism though ecumenicism. (12)

2 Assess the importance  for Theravada views of other religious and non-religious world views and their truth claim. (12)

2 Assess the significance in Mahayana teaching of  other religious and non-religious world views and their truth claim. (12)

2 Assess the key features of  the benefits, the extent of the involvement and potential barriers from a Buddhist context for interfaith dialogue. (12)

2 Assess the claim that Buddhism takes a pluralist approach to other religions. (12)

2. Assess the claim that Buddhism is less relevant in contemporary society. (12)

2 Assess the key features of  Buddhist teachings and responses to issues of science. (12)

Overall I would reject the claim that Buddhism is less relevant in contemporary society because I would argue that some of the most common issues faced by contemporary society have not really changed in the 2500 years since the Buddha lived.  Furthermore, modern psychology is beginning to see the benefits of Buddhist practices that are often thousands of years old, and some of these such as mindfulness have been successfully adapted for use in the 21st century.

One reason why Buddhism is still extremely relevant in contemporary society is because although we live more than 2 millennia after the Buddha, most of our problems are the same.  According to the Pali Cannon the Buddha’s first real experience of suffering was when he left the palace for the first time and witnessing the four sights of sickness, old age, death and the holy man.  These continue to be major causes of suffering in the contemporary world, and so there is still much that can be learnt from the Buddha’s decision, inspired by the 4th sight of the holy man, to set out on a quest for liberation from suffering.  This can be further strengthened by Buddhist teachings that tanha, craving, is the root cause of all suffering, as seen in the doctrine of the 4 Noble Truths.  Our contemporary society is extremely materialistic and many people believe that the only way they can be happy is to acquire more money and possessions and therefore the Buddha’s teaching that it is only by reducing tanha and learning to accept and be happy with what we have can only be beneficial in reducing suffering.

Furthermore, Buddhism remains relevant in contemporary society due to an increased understanding from psychologists and mental health practitioners of the benefits of Buddhist ideas such as mindfulness meditation in treating mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.  Mindfulness mediation was a technique used by the Buddha during his quest for enlightenment 2500 years ago, and yet in recent years has seen a surge in popularity in the Western world since a secular version of mindfulness was first introduced by the NHS as a treatment option for mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.  Mindfulness helps practitioners to accept their situation rather than constantly seeking to change it.  This can be further strengthened by the fact that unlike other religious practices, mindfulness works on the basis that happiness is an internal, rather than external processes such as an omnipotent, omnibenevolent God, meaning that it is a suitable treatment for people of all faiths and none.

On the other hand it could be argued that Buddhism is no longer relevant because our modern Western lifestyles are so far removed from those of the time that the Buddha lived.  For example most people living in Britain would not be in the position to give up their jobs and become full time monks/nuns which according to the Theravada school is the only sure way to gain enlightenment in this lifetime.  However, this is a weak argument because other Buddhist schools such as the Mahayana schools teach that anyone can achieve enlightenment and rejects the idea that it is necessary for Buddhists to give up their career and family and encourages the laity as a vital part of the Sangha.  In fact schools such as the New Kadamapa Tradition have begun offering sessions based on key Buddhist teachings such as mindfulness and the 4 Noble Truths aimed at a modern, often secular, Western audience, with the aim of helping to liberate people from suffering from contemporary issues such as stress and anxiety, which shows that Buddhism is extremely relevant to the contemporary world.

In conclusion it is clear that Buddhism is just as relevant as it ever was due to the continuing trait of humans to always crave more.  Until humans can accept the Buddha’s teachings that true happiness can only come from within and abandon their quest for happiness through material possessions there will always be a need for Buddhism.