The conference offered a significant opportunity to reflect on the future of Buddhism in Europe<\/strong>, in light of ongoing social, technological, environmental, and cultural transformations. Using a participatory and dialogical format, the event brought together international scholars, practitioners, young people, and representatives from European Buddhist institutions.<\/p>\n The event featured five prominent speakers from diverse traditions and cultural backgrounds:<\/p>\n Stephen Batchelor<\/strong> (United Kingdom) \u2013 Author and lay Buddhist teacher, known for his secular approach to the Dharma.<\/p>\n Bhikkhun\u012b Dhammadinn\u0101<\/strong> (Italy) \u2013 Director of the \u0100gama Research Group, scholar of early Buddhist texts and monastic law.<\/p>\n Peter D. Hershock<\/strong> (USA) \u2013 Philosopher and Director of the East-West Center in Honolulu, expert on Buddhist approaches to technology and consciousness.<\/p>\n G\u00e1bor Karsai<\/strong> (Hungary) \u2013 Rector of the Dharma Gate Buddhist College and Executive Director of Mind & Life Europe.<\/p>\n Ioana Spataru<\/strong> (Austria) \u2013 Trainer, activist, and coordinator of the Austrian Buddhist Youth.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n European Buddhism and Modernity<\/strong> Engaged Buddhism: Ethics and Social Transformation Toward a European Sangha? Future Perspectives Il convegno internazionale per i 50 anni dell’European Buddhist Union. Il 25 aprile 2025, presso il Public Educational Centre di Vienna, si \u00e8 tenuto il convegno internazionale \u201cBuddhism 2075: Shaping the Identity of European Buddhism\u201d, organizzato in occasione del cinquantesimo anniversario dell’European Buddhist Union (EBU). Promosso dall\u2019EBU, dal Centro Studi dell\u2019Unione Buddhista Italiana (UBI) e […]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":3268,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categorie-eventi":[57],"class_list":["post-2662","eventi","type-eventi","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","categorie-eventi-buddhist-studies"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n<\/h4>\n
International Speakers<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Themes and Reflections from the Conference<\/h3>\n
\nThe opening session addressed the relationship between Buddhism, science, and secularism. While acknowledging that European Buddhism is still young, participants highlighted its gradual evolution toward a distinctive identity.
\nThere was a rejection of the idea that Buddhism must be \u201cpurged\u201d of elements such as karma and rebirth, which were recognized as still meaningful and profound. Buddhism was described as a potential \u201cthird way\u201d between science and philosophy, capable of offering unique insights into consciousness and subjective experience.<\/p>\n
\nThe second session focused on ethics in action. Engaged Buddhism was recognized as fully consistent with tradition\u2014not a recent addition.
\nChallenges such as ideological activism and accessibility were addressed, with a strong emphasis on including underrepresented groups and minorities.
\nYoung voices were represented by the Austrian Buddhist Youth, which emphasized the urgent need to connect spirituality with climate justice, peace, and intercultural dialogue.<\/p>\n
\nThe third session explored a crucial question: is it possible to build a European Sangha?\nIn a context marked by individualism, the importance of the communal dimension of practice was reaffirmed.
\nParticipants spoke of the need to create support networks among monks, nuns, and lay practitioners, and to foster dialogue between Asian-origin Buddhist communities and convert practitioners.
\nDespite the diversity of traditions, the possibility emerged of building a community based on a shared ethos\u2014one that values plurality without sacrificing spiritual coherence.<\/p>\n
\nThe conference closed with the hope that this gathering might serve as a model for future events, promoting dialogue among traditions and strengthening cooperation at the European level.
\nThe importance of maintaining strong ties with Asian Buddhist communities was reaffirmed, as was the goal of building a European identity grounded not in isolation, but in authentic dialogue.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"