Buddhism on Mindfulness, Social Activism, and Peace

• Kirtika Das

  University of North Bengal

  Author

The strategy of this paper is to explore how traditional Buddhist teachings respond to contemporary challenges. The effects of these contemporary crises have brought immense tribulation globally. We humans can create and destroy the natural relationships of the environment. Since the twentieth century, Buddhism has been revived with its new way of response, as Buddha's teachings mainly focus on alleviating suffering. We live in an era of symbiosis between humans and scientific technology. People are advancing with their cognitive abilities and the enhancement of technology. But, the present scenario in every region is more or less the same, i.e., detrimental. Now, the question is, who is responsible for these circumstances? The answer is that our actions cause physical and mental afflictions. In Buddhism, there is a saying that as soon as we realize the pain, there is a practical way to expunge the causes of suffering. Both in the traditional and contemporary sense of Buddhism, liberation must be the goal of everyone’s life. As we know, different schools of Buddhism emerged with different convictions. One of them is Zen Buddhism, an important school of Mahayana Buddhism. Zen Buddhism, with its Engaged Buddhist outlook, responded to the crisis of social, political, economic, and environmental domains. Here, we will know how this Buddhist philosophy enhances social reformation from the perspective of a peace-making culture.

1. Kirtika Das, University of North Bengal

   Research Scholar, Department of Philosophy.

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