Traditionally Modern

There is Humanistic Buddhism and Engaged Buddhism (virtually the same thing) as modern trends throughout the world. It is about focusing on the larger society and social needs instead of the abstract and religious things. What is not pointed out, not emphasised is a human Buddhism. It exists in everyday reality, in scholarly works and in communities, but without anyone really spelling it out. What do I mean?

People do something because they find some kind of interest in it. That interest can have many forms from material gain to spiritual zeal. The laity supports monks in exchange for merit and some other religious services. In the West such an attitude is almost non-existent. But there is something else, the value of inner peace and wisdom. I don't often hear about people inviting monks to their homes to exorcise bad spirits but rather to lead meditation sessions or give teachings. Even being a monastic is not that important.

This human Buddhism is about the view that Buddhism is something one can experience for himself here and now (sure, this was said by the Buddha too, but it has a somewhat new meaning I think in the modern context) and not restricted to the monasteries or celestial buddhas and bodhisattvas. It is also how the view of Buddha is that he was a normal human being with special mental attributes but not a superhuman or anything close to that. Of course, this is not a movement but rather the way Buddhism got integrated into a Western milieu.

Is this human centred Buddhism a return to the original? Some like to say that referring to the Pali Canon as the authentic source. I rather say it is returning to the original not in a historical but a spiritual sense. What I see in the history of Buddhism is the periodical reforming of the teaching to make it relevant to the people and that makes it a living tradition. Change is inevitable. What is constant is the Dharma, the Truth that all follower can touch directly.