Buddhism, Migration and Pluralism - B in UK

Question 1

what is pluralism

Answer 1

• all paths are equal and relevant –> all religions achieve the same goal and any differences are due to cultural relavatism

Question 2

interfaith and intra religion pluralism

Answer 2

• interfaith: all religions are valid and lead to same goal
• intra religion: all divisions, denominations are equally valid

Question 3

inclusivism and exclusivism

Answer 3

• inclusivism: one path that is the best, but other religions have valid teachings
• exclusivism: one path only is correct

Question 4

why is Buddhism exclusivist

Answer 4

• mahayanan Buddhism establish itself as the greater miracle –> schools all believe they have exclusive access to UR
• rejects God figure and a soul –> main features of alot of religions
• direct opposition to hinduism with Anatta –> anatta means no atman

Question 5

why is Buddhism inclusivist

Answer 5

• upaya: skilful teachings are needed to understand UR
• parable of the radt and thich Nhat Hanh: non attachment to the dharma is key

Question 6

why is Buddhism pluralisT

Answer 6

• Buddhism and science: ultimate reality as shared goal for life is found between schools

Question 7

evidence to show lack of cohesion between different schools

Answer 7

• M and T diversity in worship
• westernisation of B with triatna versus forest Buddhism
• Bodhisattvas versus Arhat
• pureland and goal for rebirth in Sukhavati
• M: develop on T ideas with the democratisation of Nirvana (Nirvana for all)

Question 8

evidence to show cohesion between different Buddhist schools

Answer 8

• all take refuge in 3 jewels
• ultimate reality all agree
• 3 MOS
• Buddha as a rolemodel -> sammasam
  5 precepts
• meditation
• ‘the more I study it the more I find there is hardly any difference between Therevada and Mahayana with regard to fundamental questions’ –> differences between schools only observed at a conventional level

Question 9

timeline of Buddhism in UK

Answer 9

• ancient greece and middle ages: not interested
• 1870: oriental studies
• 1879: edwin arnold published light of asia: poem depicting Buddhas life and teaching
• 1881: establishment of the pali society by Thomas Davis
• 1902: Alan Bennett first englishman to be ordained in sri lanka
• 1924: National B society created by Christmas Humphrey
• 1962: first buddhist vihara built by Dharmapala

Question 10

1870 oriential studies

Answer 10

• max miller: learns about sanskrit and translates text
• alexander cunningham: established that historical Buddha existed
• shopenhauer: academic adoption of buddhism in his philosophy –> academic engagementw

Question 11

why has Buddhism become more established in the UK

Answer 11

• interpretation of teachings is more open
• orientalism and fetishizations
• dissatisfaction with organised religion –> more compatible with modern social issues eg feminism
• response to capitalism
• migration and high rates of converts
• demythologization makes it more digestible
• more people being able to afford to travel to Buddhist countries and experience the practice
• socio economic change from 1960s causing a cultural shift in western society –> more open to new religions
• meditiation being seen as an empirically effective

Question 12

laws that outline the equality of all individuals

Answer 12

• equality act 2010 –> cannot discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics
• freedom of religion is a human right in european law and religious pluralism is a feature of a modern secular society
• Human rights act 1988 freedom of religion and worship
• UDHR article 9 –> freedom of thought conscience and expression
• freedom of religious belief also applies to freedom to subscribe to different schools of thought within a religion