Humanistic Buddhist Thought & Practice

This course introduces Humanistic Buddhism as a modern Buddhist movement that integrates classical Buddhist wisdom with contemporary ethical, social, and cultural concerns. Drawing on Mahayana Buddhism and Chinese Buddhist traditions, especially Chan Buddhism, and informed by comparative philosophy and theology, the course examines how Buddhist concepts such as compassion, nonduality, emptiness, and moral cultivation are rearticulated for lived practice in the modern world. Particular attention is given to the thought and practice of Humanistic Buddhism as articulated by contemporary figures, including Hsing Yun, and its engagement with education, social responsibility, interreligious dialogue, and global ethics. Students will critically explore how Buddhist thought functions not only as doctrine, but as a transformative framework for personal formation and social engagement.