Secular Buddhism What is it? How is it different?.

Secular BuddhismSecular Buddhism

What is it?What is it?

How is it different?How is it different?

““The cultivation of loving-kindness and The cultivation of loving-kindness and compassion is not intrinsically a religious compassion is not intrinsically a religious endeavor. It has really a much more general endeavor. It has really a much more general pertinence and general applicability. You pertinence and general applicability. You don’t have to be religious or buy into a don’t have to be religious or buy into a religious doctrine to do it. This is why I think religious doctrine to do it. This is why I think it is important to develop techniques that are it is important to develop techniques that are secular and not simply religious in secular and not simply religious in orientation.”orientation.”

– The Dalai Lama– The Dalai Lama

Secular Buddhism: A DefinitionSecular Buddhism: A Definition

Secular Buddhism is not a religion or a form Secular Buddhism is not a religion or a form of religious practice. It is referred to only as of religious practice. It is referred to only as a practice or a path. It accepts all the a practice or a path. It accepts all the teachings of The Buddha as passed down teachings of The Buddha as passed down through history except for any form through history except for any form of theism, reincarnation or karma beyond of theism, reincarnation or karma beyond this life. this life.


It is atheistic and devoid of spirituality. There It is atheistic and devoid of spirituality. There are no deities other than those metaphorical, are no deities other than those metaphorical, no heaven or hell realms, no soul and no no heaven or hell realms, no soul and no afterlife. It does not deny however that there afterlife. It does not deny however that there are forces, realities and forms of existence are forces, realities and forms of existence possible beyond those we can currently possible beyond those we can currently comprehend or explain. comprehend or explain.


There are no supernatural powers expected There are no supernatural powers expected or sought through its practice. or sought through its practice.


It is a unique form of Buddhism in that there It is a unique form of Buddhism in that there is no consideration of reincarnation or is no consideration of reincarnation or karma. It reinterprets these as processes karma. It reinterprets these as processes which take place within a single lifetime. which take place within a single lifetime. Karma is understood to mean that every Karma is understood to mean that every thought or act will leave an impression on thought or act will leave an impression on our mind or to some degree reduce a our mind or to some degree reduce a previously made impression. Reincarnation previously made impression. Reincarnation is a constant process during our lifetime.is a constant process during our lifetime.


Secular Buddhism recognizes all Buddhist Secular Buddhism recognizes all Buddhist writings, from the Pali Cannon to writings, from the Pali Cannon to contemporary works, save those based on contemporary works, save those based on concepts of theism and rebirth. concepts of theism and rebirth.


The core forms of practice are the study and The core forms of practice are the study and teaching of essential Buddhist concepts, teaching of essential Buddhist concepts, including meditation. Prostrations, chanting, including meditation. Prostrations, chanting, koans and other practices based on specific koans and other practices based on specific lineages or cultures are not incorporated. lineages or cultures are not incorporated.


Secular Buddhism uses exclusively the Secular Buddhism uses exclusively the language of the native population including language of the native population including terms that have been adopted into common terms that have been adopted into common usage such as karma, nirvana or Namaste. usage such as karma, nirvana or Namaste.


Secular Buddhism recognizes no authority Secular Buddhism recognizes no authority outside one’s self. There is no lineage, no outside one’s self. There is no lineage, no priesthood, no titles. Nor is there any priesthood, no titles. Nor is there any recognition of external authority be it recognition of external authority be it cultural, traditional, academic or otherwise. cultural, traditional, academic or otherwise. Respect yes, but not authority. Respect yes, but not authority.


There are no special forms of dress or There are no special forms of dress or rituals. rituals.


Also unique to Secular Buddhism, yet in Also unique to Secular Buddhism, yet in keeping with The Buddha’s teaching, is an keeping with The Buddha’s teaching, is an emphasis on social time, encouraging and emphasis on social time, encouraging and facilitating connection with others who seek facilitating connection with others who seek freedom from suffering. freedom from suffering.


Secular Buddhism does not speculate Secular Buddhism does not speculate beyond the bounds of The Buddha’s beyond the bounds of The Buddha’s teaching. Although other teachers provide teaching. Although other teachers provide welcome and complimentary perspectives, welcome and complimentary perspectives, and it is encouraged they be studied with and it is encouraged they be studied with respect and sincere interest, Secular respect and sincere interest, Secular Buddhism maintains its focus on the Buddhism maintains its focus on the Buddha’s teaching of suffering and the end Buddha’s teaching of suffering and the end of suffering. of suffering.


Secular Buddhism is a path of intense Secular Buddhism is a path of intense selfself--effort. No one and no thing can intercede effort. No one and no thing can intercede on one’s behalf. Progress is entirely on one’s behalf. Progress is entirely dependent on one’s own diligence and dependent on one’s own diligence and practice. practice.


It is therapeutic: it is directed specifically at the It is therapeutic: it is directed specifically at the lessening of human suffering. lessening of human suffering.

It is psychological: its focus is only on the It is psychological: its focus is only on the human condition. human condition.

It is scientific: it is based solely on the natural It is scientific: it is based solely on the natural laws of cause and effect. laws of cause and effect.

It is pragmatic: it is defined by its usefulness It is pragmatic: it is defined by its usefulness alone. alone.

It is empirical: direct personal experience and It is empirical: direct personal experience and validation are the only authority.validation are the only authority.

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Secular Buddhism What is it? How is it different?.

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