We Build the Road and the Road Builds Us' An Exploration of Socially Engaged Buddhism
Date of Award
2003
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Humanities
First Advisor
Newman, John
Keywords
Buddhism, Social Service, Community Development, Political Activism
Area of Concentration
Religion
Abstract
This thesis investigates the emergence of a new strain of Buddhist practice, termed 'Engaged Buddhism' which integrates political activism and social service with personal and community development, using the ethical and philosophical concepts of Buddhism as the foundation of its activities. The thesis explores the work of a selection of Buddhist social justice and community development organizations in Asia and the West. It considers the relationship of Engaged Buddhism to the larger Buddhist tradition, focusing in particular on the question of its compatibility with important Buddhist philosophical concepts such as the absence of self, impermanence and interdependence, and with key tenets of the Buddhist tradition such as the Five Precepts and the Four Noble Truths. This thesis attempts to answer three questions. First, is Engaged Buddhism a legitimate form of Buddhism? If so, what separates Engaged Buddhism from traditional forms of Buddhist practice? And finally, how does Engaged Buddhism conceive of and pursue the path to liberation? The thesis concludes that Engaged Buddhism does constitute a legitimate form of Buddhism, and that it can be distinguished from other variations of the Buddhist tradition by virtue of the motivation with which Engaged Buddhists pursue the path to liberation. Engaged Buddhists regard liberation, or nirvana, as a collective rather than personal affair, and view confronting the social causes of human suffering as beneficial both to the society at large and to the individual's development.
Recommended Citation
McDaniel, Jamie, "We Build the Road and the Road Builds Us' An Exploration of Socially Engaged Buddhism" (2003). Theses & ETDs. 3271.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/3271
Rights
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