“Engaged Buddhism “(EB) as a term first coined by Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh in 1965, which meant to evoke and induce a form of spirituality that is socially and politically aware and active. Since then, EB as phenomenon variously related to locating Buddhist answers for social and political concerns that continually has been discussed in academic circle and experimentally practices by religious groups in Asian and western countries. In Germany, EB groups instructed by different Buddhism schools have increased rapidly since 1990s. To tackle the social and political issues like peacekeeping, climate change, gender equality, poverty relief, engaged Buddhists in Germany not only take part in the traditional donation activities but also practice social engagement within their immediate surroundings. In this challenging time, the emergence and development of EB communities in Germany expresses the increasing demand of transforming and reforming original Buddhism teachings and values reconciling with modern reality.
In this Q-Team, we will firstly cover the terminological discourse on EB in Germany and methodology training. Then, we do empirical case studies analysis on selected EB groups in Germany by investigating their standpoints to current issues and narratives of social engagements, teachings and practices, motivation, ethics as well as collective organization forms, trying to obtain a full know-how picture of EB groups in Germany to give potential religion development policy advice.
Active participation is prerequisite for students working on their own research projects in small groups. For this, they focus on one specific EB group on different themes by their own choice offered in introduction session. Through observation by visiting religious communities and discussion with guest speakers, students are expected to conduct interviews directly with religion leaders/members so that to the addressed research questions being answered. At the end of the Q-Team, each student group will present their final research product within a form of symposium.
For more information, please contact me at: zhanhany@hu-berlin.de
The Q-Team is open to all bachelor and master students who are interested in interdisciplinary topics of religion and economy/sustainable development, social, anthropological, cultural, as well as regional studies. A certain level of interest in Buddhism modernism is highly welcomed.