What is Secular Buddhism?

What is Secular Buddhism?

Author: Nicholas Bright Haight December 2, 2023 Duration: 28:41

Bright on Buddhism Episode 77 - What is secular Buddhism? What are its origins and principles? What are some of its strengths and weaknesses?


Resources: Batchelor, Stephen (1998), Buddhism without Beliefs, Riverhead Books, ISBN 1-57322-656-4; Batchelor, Stephen (2015), After Buddhism: Rethinking the Dharma for a Secular Age, Yale University Press, ISBN 978-0300205183; Harris, Sam (2014), Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion, Simon & Schuster, ISBN 978-1451636017; Payne, Richard (2021), Secularizing Buddhism: New Perspectives on a Dynamic Tradition, Shambhala Publications, ISBN 9781611808896; Stuart, Daniel M. (2020), S.N. Goenka: Emissary of Insight, Shambhala Publications, ISBN 9781611808186; Ward, Tim (1995), What the Buddha Never Taught, Celestial Arts, ISBN 0-89087-687-8; Wright, Robert (2017), Why Buddhism Is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment, Simon & Schuster, ISBN 9781439195468; https://tricycle.org/beginners/buddhism/can-someone-be-a-secular-buddhist/; https://secularbuddhism.com/; https://secularbuddhism.org/; https://secularbuddhistnetwork.org/an-introduction-to-secular-buddhism/; Cliteur, Paul (2010). The Secular Outlook: In Defense of Moral and Political Secularism. ISBN 978-1-4443-3521-7; Taylor, Charles (2007). A Secular Age. Cambridge: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0-674-02676-6; Kosmin, Barry A. and Ariela Keysar (2007). Secularism and Secularity: Contemporary International Perspectives. Institute for the Study of Secularism in Society and Culture. ISBN 978-0-9794816-0-4, 0-9794816-0-0; Martin, David (2005). On Secularization: Towards a Revised General Theory. Aldershot: Ashgate. ISBN 0-7546-5322-6; Benson, Iain (2004). Considering Secularism in Farrows, Douglas(ed.). Recognizing Religion in a Secular Society McGill-Queens Press. ISBN 0-7735-2812-1; Berlinerblau, Jacques (2012) "How to be Secular: A Call to Arms for Religious Freedom" ISBN 978-0-547-47334-5; Kyrlezhev, Aleksandr. “The Postsecular Age: Religion and Culture Today.” Trans. Joera Mulders and Philip Walters. Religion, State and Society 36.1 (2008): 21-31. Print.; McLennan, Gregor. “The Postsecular Turn.” Theory, Culture & Society 27.4 (2010): 3-20. Print.; King, Mike. “Art and the Postsecular.” Journal of Visual Art Practice 4.1 (2005): 3-17. Print.; Kaufmann, Michael. “Locating the Postsecular.” Religion & Literature 41.3 (2009): 67-73. Print.; Hadden, Jeffrey K. “Toward Desacralizing Secularization Theory.” Social Forces 65.3 (1987): 587-611. Print.; The Desecularization of the World: Resurgent Religion and World Politics by Peter L. Berger, Editor, David Martin, Contribution by, Grace Davie, Contribution by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, (143p) ISBN 978-0-8028-4691-4; Hjelm, Titus (September 20, 2019). "Rethinking the theoretical base of Peter L. Berger's sociology of religion: Social construction, power, and discourse". Sage Journals.

Do you have a question about Buddhism that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by tweeting to us @BrightBuddhism, emailing us at Bright.On.Buddhism@gmail.com, or joining us on our discord server, Hidden Sangha https://discord.gg/tEwcVpu!

Credits:

Nick Bright: Script, Cover Art, Music, Voice of Hearer, Co-Host

Proven Paradox: Editing, mixing and mastering, social media, Voice of Hermit, Co-Host


Nicholas Bright Haight brings his academic background and personal curiosity to each episode of Bright On Buddhism. As a scholar of East Asian Buddhism currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Religion, with a specialization in pre-modern Japanese Buddhist architecture, Nick approaches these conversations with both depth and accessibility. The discussions unfold in a relaxed, question-and-answer style, making often complex philosophical and historical ideas feel approachable and immediately relevant. You’ll hear explorations that draw from his specific research areas, like Japanese Buddhist historical responses to cultural shifts, while also addressing the broader, timeless questions at the heart of the tradition. This isn’t a formal lecture series, but rather a thoughtful dialogue meant for anyone with an interest in how these ancient teachings intersect with modern life. The Bright On Buddhism podcast creates a space where scholarly insight meets casual conversation, demystifying topics without losing their profound essence. Whether you're well-versed in Buddhist thought or just beginning to explore spirituality and religion, these episodes offer a grounded and informative perspective.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 252

Bright On Buddhism
Podcast Episodes
Lotus Sutra Chapter 5 - Medicinal Herbs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:41
Chapter 5 of The Lotus Sutra - Join us as we read and discuss Chapter 5 of the Burton Watson translation of The Lotus Sutra Resources: Hurvitz, Leon. 1976. Scripture of the Lotus Blossom of the Fine Dharma. New York: Col…
What is evil in Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:22
Bright on Buddhism - Evil - What is evil in Buddhism? How does the conception of evil change over time? According to the Buddhist scriptures, what ought to be done about evil? Content warning - This episode contains desc…
Kōan Series - Mind is Buddha [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:36
Bright on Buddhism - Kōan Series Episode 5 - Mind is Buddha Hello and welcome to a new type of episode of Bright on Buddhism, called the Kōan Series. In this series, we will read and discuss real Buddhist kōans to try an…
What is the Buddhist perspective of the family? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:10
Bright on Buddhism Episode 56 - What is the Buddhist perspective of the family? How ought laypeople have and maintain a family? How ought monks and nuns have and maintain a family? Resources: Wilson, Liz. Family in Buddh…
Who is Mahakasyapa? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:24
Bright on Buddhism Episode 55 - Who is Mahakasyapa? What role does he play in the texts? How does this role change over time? Resources: Ambros, Barbara R (27 June 2016), "A Rite of Their Own: Japanese Buddhist Nuns and…
What is the Eightfold Path? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:38
Bright on Buddhism Episode 54 - What is the Eightfold Path? What role does it play in Buddhist practice? How have understandings of it changed over time? Resources: Bodhi, Bhikkhu (1999). The Noble Eightfold Path: The Wa…
Who is Maudgalyayana? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:38
Bright on Buddhism Episode 53 - Who is Maudgalyayana? What role does he play in the texts? What are some stories about him? Resources: Berezkin, Rostislav (21 February 2015), "Pictorial Versions of the Mulian Story in Ea…
What are the tantras? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:55
Bright on Buddhism Episode 52 - What are the tantras? What do they contain? How do they relate to other Asian religious traditions? Resources: http://www.dsbcproject.org/; Wallis, Christopher; THE TANTRIC AGE: A Comparis…
How does Buddhist doctrine view food? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:02
Bright on Buddhism Episode 51 - How does Buddhist doctrine view food? Is veganism or vegetarianism required? What is the typical Buddhist diet? Resources: http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma3/vegi.html; http://www.urbandh…
Tathagatagarbha Sutra [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:41:50
Tathagatagarbha Sutra - Join us as we read and discuss the Tathagatagarbha Sutra! Resources: Grosnick, William H. (1995), The Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra (PDF), Princeton: In: Lopez, Donald S. Jr.; ed. Buddhism in Practice, Pr…