why is Buddhism gaining more adherents?
August 20th, 2008
Based on a survey done in Singapore by the Straits Times with almost 1000 respondents recently, the following observations were made:
1. Young people are turning up to look for a way to let go of pressure from work.
2. Buddhist centres are conducting programmes in English attracting younger people. Buddhism used to be seen as a religion for the Mandarin- or dialect-speaking.
3. They have gotten organized and have publicity drives, seminars, camps, publications and websites.
4. Fads like yoga and meditation and the focus on calmness, plus having adherents among Hollywood stars, have made it hip to be a Buddhist. Even the Dalai Lama’s charisma is winning followers among the younger ones.
5. Attempts to be more relevant: a lot of meditation classes are held in many temples: 14 of the 20 top temples and centres have meditation classes; and there are even stess and career management courses.
6. Nearly six out of ten Buddhist converts say the religion gives them purpose and meaning, or has seen them through a crisis.
Entry Filed under: Society
Buddhism when understood as a moral religious philosophy makes a lot of sense to the modern spiritual mind. The Buddha asked all the right questions. Although we disagree with his answers and conclusions, his questions should drive us to dig for answers within the christian tradition.
Allow me to reveal that I was a staunch mahayana Buddhist. Went for monkhood in Penang’s Kek Lok Si temple when I was 14. Went through the ‘Sunday schools’ at a local mahayana temple from 13 till 15, every Sunday.
The attractiveness of Buddhism is ‘do-it-yourself’ theology. You can embrace it without strict adherence to any of its fundamentals (if there are fundamentals in it). Yes, there are 4 noble truths, 8 fold path, but that are for lay people. When one goes deep into its ‘theology’, it is ‘nothingness’, or ‘anythingness’.
Hence young working busy people loves such spirituality. You can do it yourself and still have the sense of spirituality.
Interesting point, especially from on who was on the inside. You must be right.
I think the “you can embrace it without strict adherence to any of its fundamentals” bit is pretty appealing to today’s young people whose homes are relativism and consumerism.