Future directions in Buddhism Flashcards
What are the current trends for adherents globally for Buddhism?
Buddhism has been slightly growing over the years and hit 506 million adherents in 2022, however, the Buddhist population is expected to stagnate or decline due to the lack of ‘advertising’ for their religion. In 2020, the majority of Buddhists live in China, with around 254 million Buddhists, many belonging to the schools of Pure Land Buddhism and Chan school of Buddhism. This is also followed by Thailand with 66 mill and the major school being Theravada. Followed by Japan with Soku Gakki being their main school and having around 41 mill
Why are adherents to Buddhism likely to decrease? When?
It is expected to start decreasing in 2030. This is because the Buddhist population is an ageing population, indicating that not many newer members are joining and renewing the religion. They have a median age of 36 which is quite high, and is only behind the Jews when it comes to median age. Another reason for this decrease in numbers is due to the lack of advertising of the religion in the world. Furthermore, the reproduction rates of Buddhists is quite low compared to other religions, thus decreasing the exposure of newer generations to Buddhism
What are the reproduction rates of Buddhist women? What year was this data from? What is the significance?
1.6 children per woman in 2010-2015.
This is significant as it decreases the exposure of younger generations to the ideology of Buddhism, thus resulting in a decreasing number of Buddhist adherents. Also results in an ageing Buddhist population
What is the widely considered reproduction rate required to maintain a stable population?
2.1 children per woman to be the replacement level. This means that Buddhists are below the replacement average, and thus not as many Buddhists are being born as much as there are dying
What is the future prediction for reproduction rates of Buddhist women?
Might increase in some countries, however, it is quite unlikely for the reproduction rates of Buddhist women WORLDWIDE to increase.
Which region are Buddhists most commonly centred in? Name two and their percentages. Which region has the least Buddhists? What is the significance on future directions of the religion?
Asia - Pacific 99%
North America - 0.8%
Sub Saharan Africa- <0.1%
It can be predicted from this, that ass Buddhism is a fairly static religion, the vast majority of Buddhists will still be seen in the Asia Pacific, and perhaps a slight growth will occur in North America. However, those which are lower on the list such as the Sub Saharan Africa will probably face a major decrease in Buddhist adherents in these countries
What is the expectation for percentage of Buddhists in China? 2010-2050
2010 - 20%
2050 - 14%
How many Buddhists were expected to migrate in 2010-2015? Where to?
Many are expected to come from Asia-Pacific region. More than half a million Buddhists are expected to migrate. With 150k going to North America and Africa region.
What is the impact of migration on Buddhism?
Brings the ideas of Buddhism to countries which may not have had prior experience with it, thus introducing it and perhaps increasing the number of adherents in North America and Africa as it spreads ideas of Buddhism to these areas. Leading to more adherents
What are the emerging changes within the Thailand Buddhist community? How will these affect or impact the next 5 to 10 years?
- Changing values of Buddhist monks in Thailand. This is seen through many monks becoming more individualistic and focussing on personal wealth instead of what the Buddha taught them which is not to fall to physical or material temptations. This can be seen with Wirapol Sukhpol who was discovered to be fraudulently raising funds from his followers to fund his own materialistic habits such as flying in a private jet, buying lots of cars and luxury goods. Furthermore the individualism made him focus on himself and own pleasure, which led him to sexually abuse women, including minors. Sadly, this is only one of many cases of the shifting values of Buddhist monks to pleasuring themselves. This is most likely going to result in a decline of Buddhist adherents in Thailand due to shame associated with the Thai Sangha and also, Buddhist monks will most likely continue partaking in these unethical practices.
- Another emerging change is the acceptance of women into the Thai Sangha to become nuns. In the past they were strongly denied by the heavily patriarchal sangha to become nuns. However, after Dhammananda Bhikkhuni got ordained in Sri Lanka, and came back to provide the opportunity to more Thai women, there has been an increase in the number of nuns in Thailand. Many were inspired by her actions to become nuns from that. Thus resulting in a massive change in society. This is most likely to result in increases of the nun population in Thailand.
What are the emerging changes within the Myanmar Buddhist community? How will these affect or impact the next 5 to 10 years?
- There have been some dissenters to the ideologies promoted by the Ma Ba Tha. This is going to have a minor impact on the prosecution of Rohingya Muslims. This is because the majority of Buddhists have these racist views against them, and a couple of Buddhist dissenters can’t really go against that
- Mass exodus of Rohingya Muslims because of the violence against them by the Ma Ba Tha, military junta and extremely nationalistic monks. (Not really a change)
What are the continuities that are most likely to persist in the next 5 to 10 years? Why are these likely to continue? (4)
There is most likely going to be a continuity of extremely nationalistic views in Myanmar. This will mean that there will be a continued prosecution against Rohingya Muslims living in Myanmar. This will in turn drive Rohingya Muslims out of Myanmar. This is likely to continue because the military junta (which is in charge of the gov.) is supporting the discriminatory actions of the Buddhist monks towards the Muslims, and even taking part in the prosecution of the Muslims. Furthermore, the ideology of nationalism is deep-rooted in Burmese culture, thus resulting in the maintenance of these nationalistic views
Despite the change promoted by Dhammananda Bhikkhuni, the Thai Sangha will probably remain patriarchist. This is due to the long lasting tradition of patriarchy in Thai culture. Furthermore, this idea is supported by both the government and official Buddhist committees who refuse to change their stance on the acceptance of women into the Thai Sangha.
Another continuity which is seen is the spread of Buddhism across the world. This has been promoted through online Buddhist communities such as BuddhaNet. This website is able to communicate the various beliefs of Buddhism across the world through allowing for access to religious texts, the Dharma, and the Sutta. This allows for many to access the beliefs of Buddhism, and perhaps become Buddhist themselves. Thus resulting in the spread of Buddhism
Another continuity is that many Buddhist monks not only in Thailand but other countries will continue to misuse their power for ethically wrong things. This is seen where currently many monks have been doing wrong things such as sexual harassment, embezzling money and seeking own pleasure (maybe through drugs and alcohol). All of which is inspired by the Western idea of individualism, where one focusses only on their own pleasure. This is most likely to continue because of the prominence and growth of use of technology in Thailand and other countries which serve as a platform for Westernisation and the introduction of Western ideas. Furthermore, Western ideas have already permeated Thai society on many levels, thus meaning that individualism is everywhere and likely to influence decisions on all levels of society
What will Buddhism’s role be to specific societies and cultures around the world in the near future?
In a country such as Myanmar, Buddhism will be used as a façade for promoting their ultra nationalistic views against Rohingya Muslims. This is because Buddhist monks are largely viewed as role models in society. This will result in many Burmese people looking to see what the monks do for guidance. When they see these nationalistic views, they are more likely to develop those views as well. Thus it is seen that Buddhism’s role in Myanmar is to act as a mask for violent, nationalistic views. It is most likely going to continue being like that throughout the years to come. Buddhism in Myanmar will also inspire violence in Myanmar due to these nationalistic views.
In a country such as Thailand, Buddhism acts as a way to enforce gender stereotypes established by the largely patriarchal society. This is seen through the institutional gender discrimination where the Sangha does not officially recognise women as part of the Sangha. In Thailand, Buddhism also plays a major role in the political and legal decisions of the Thai government. This is because both are intertwined deeply with each other, with Buddhist monks (of high positions) regularly meeting up with government departments, and influencing their decisions. The government and society is also largely influenced by Buddhists due to the high standing of monks in society, with many being treated better than others. This idea is seen in the legal system, where monks receive less harsh sentences.
How many Buddhist nuns in Thailand are there?
Approximately a few hundred
