Humanistic Buddhism

• 1. Origins And Nomenclature

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  Taixu, a Buddhist modernist activist and thinker, used the term Buddhism for Human Life in early 20th century China. The first two characters human and life indicated his criticism of late Qing dynasty and early Republican Chinese Buddhism that he wished to correct. He targeted an emphasis on spirits and ghosts alongside funeral services and rites. His disciples continued this emphasis while expanding the movement's reach. Taixu also used the term Buddhism for the Human World which later became popularly known as humanistic Buddhism. One of Taixu's disciples Yin Shun used the term humanistic Buddhism to indicate a criticism against the deification of Buddhism common in much of Chinese Buddhism. It was Yin Shun and other disciples who brought both terms to Taiwan following the Nationalist government defeat during the Chinese Civil War by the Chinese Communist Party. In Taiwan the term humanistic Buddhism became the most commonly used term particularly amongst religious leaders originally from China.

• 2. Core Philosophical Tenets

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  Humanistic Buddhism integrates Buddhist practices into everyday life based on Sakyamuni Buddha achieving Buddhahood while bound in an earthly form. The movement is based on six core concepts namely humanism altruism spiritual practices as part of daily life joyfulness timeliness and the universality of saving all beings. From these principles the aim of humanistic Buddhism is to reconnect Buddhist practice with the ordinary. It places emphasis on caring for the material world not solely concerned with achieving delivery from it. Daisaku Ikeda head of the Soka Gakkai new religious movement described another aspect of manifesting the teaching of Humanistic Buddhism as interfaith dialogue and the study of common tenets of non-violence. Soka Gakkai International teaches that the Lotus Sutra leads all people to Buddhahood and we ordinary human beings are in no way different or separate from one another. They viewed the Buddha as a role model for all humanity stating the purpose of his appearance in this world lies in his behavior as a human being.

• 3. Ritual Reform History

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  Yin Shun was the key figure in the doctrinal exposition of Buddhism and thus humanistic Buddhism in Taiwan though he was not particularly active in social or political spheres. This work was carried out by a younger generation such as Hsing Yun Sheng-yen Wei Chueh and Cheng Yen. These four figures collectively known as the Four Heavenly Kings of Taiwanese Buddhism head the Four Great Mountains or monasteries of Taiwanese Buddhism and Buddhist new religious movements namely Fo Guang Shan Dharma Drum Mountain Chung Tai Shan and Tzu Chi. Fo Guang Shan is one of the most popular humanistic Buddhist organizations in present-day Taiwan. They have done work to reform and re-invent more traditional ritual practices striving to highlight Dharmic aspects of ritual and tailor practices to benefit the living rather than the dead. Fo Guang Shan are known for their Recitation Teams which they send to hospitals and hospice care facilities to

• 4. Taiwanese Leadership And Organizations

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  assist the dying and their loved ones in performing humanistic Buddhist ritual practice. They also hold ceremonies that celebrate marriage and the happiness of married couples which are popular worldwide.

  One controversy of humanistic Buddhism is the role of women in society. Hsing Yun held a conservative perspective as to the position of women and published articles for men on how to maintain a functioning household and for women on how to provide proper companionship and please their husbands. Despite this perception women have earned themselves a solid position in the Chinese workforce. While Hsing Yun did not advocate for women being forced out of workplaces he cautioned men about problems that might arise if a woman was not at home to keep things in order. However Buddhist nuns have been gaining a place as of 1998 when 136 women from a variety of Buddhist traditions were ordained into the Fo Guang Shan tradition in China. Taiwan has had ordination available to Buddhist nuns for centuries though tensions remain between traditional views and modern organizational practices regarding gender roles within the movement.