The Traditions of India What does Buddhism mean in today’s world? Interest in Buddhism is growing among younger generations. Yet, even as people visit temples and participate in rituals, many still ask themselves, “Do I really need to become a Buddhist?” This question reflects more than curiosity; it underscores the challenges Buddhism faces in resonating deeply with modern lives. Could this be an opportunity for Buddhism to rethink how it engages with contemporary society? Does Buddhism adopt an open stance toward modernity? Traditional temple spaces, rituals, and scriptures must be examined to see how well they align with modern sensibilities. To remain relevant, Buddhism must evolve with changing times and engage in open communication. This flexibility aligns with the essence of Buddhist teachings. This lecture stems from such reflections, exploring the deep ties between Buddhism and Indian civilization. Many view Buddhism as a universal teaching, transcending historical context. Ye...
Breaking with the Past In our daily lives, the word karma is anything but unfamiliar. Even those who know little about Buddhism often use phrases like “reaping karma” or “karma catching up.” For instance, many young people today, when discussing scandals of celebrities involving past bullying, might quip that the person “got hit by the karma beam,” implying that past actions have brought about present suffering. Such expressions, while trendy, reflect an intuitive grasp of karma’s essence—the interplay between actions and their consequences. But what exactly is karma, and how does Buddhism interpret it? Karma, derived from the Sanskrit word karman , literally means "action" or "deed." Its root lies in the verb kr , which means "to do" or "to act." When translated into Chinese, it becomes "業 (ye)," a term deeply associated with human actions, as seen in words like profession (職業) or enterprise (事業). In Buddhism, however, karma trans...