Guruge, Ananda W. P. See all items with this value

2001

2

11-30

1530-4108 See all items with this value

The purpose of this paper is to treat phenomenologically the beliefs and practices of traditionally Buddhist countries where Southern Buddhism or the so-called Theravda Tradition prevails. Material is drawn from personal experience and observation and an attempt is made to understand how Buddhism as practiced in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos conform to the ideals of Humanistic Buddhism. Humanistic Buddhism is defined as Buddhism in the service of humanity here and now. The impact of Buddhism is traced from the time a child is introduced to his religious heritage and acquires a Buddhist identity. Equal emphasis is laid on the place of the Temple and the Sangha in Buddhist societies. Systematically explored are the ways and means by which Buddhism fulfills the intellectual, social and emotional functions which these societies expect from a religion. The data presented in this paper show why Master Tai Xu described the religious practices of South and Southeast Asia as ‘humanistic Buddhism’ and a host of modern scholars call them ‘Socially engaged Buddhism’. The conclusion drawn is that the Buddhist societies of the region reinforce the concept and the practice of Humanistic Buddhism as interpreted by Grand Master Hsing Yun.