The Impact of  Buddhism in Europe 
Posted on August 24th, 2022

Senaka Weeraratna

The greatest impact of Buddhism in Europe is seen in the growth of Atheists (and Atheism) and sharp decline in Monotheism among Europeans of Christian origin. 

The Buddha rejected the idea of an external saviour from the very inception of his mission and advocated self reliance and self – effort for your personal salvation. You save yourself by your own efforts, the Buddha said and not through rituals, prayers and animal sacrifice. 

The Buddha, while rejecting an all mighty God, however never rejected virtue or the goodness in conduct. In fact, he placed a high emphasis on ethics e.g. Noble Eightfold Path:, and developed a perfect system of Ethics without placing a God in the center of his doctrine. 

There is a parallel in what we see happening in Europe today with  Buddhist thinking and way of life. Europeans of Christian heritage are no longer going to Church, do not engage in prayers, nor project themselves as worshippers. Churches are steadily becoming empty. A common sight in Europe.

Great Intellectual Heritage 

But yet they, i.e., Europeans,  have not become aloof or indifferent to Right Thinking, Philosophy and Ethical behavior. They are conscious of their great intellectual heritage and legacy of free thinkers like the German Philosopher Artur Schopenhauer, the French critic Voltaire, and the English Mathematician Bertrand Russell who revolted against orthodox religion.

Europeans are freedom loving and prefer a life unrestricted by religion. They are sensitive to the suffering of others and conscious of Man’s inhumanity towards animals. Many have become Vegetarian or Vegan out of concern and display increasing sensitivity for the lives of non – human sentient beings. They do not kill animals for the purpose of sacrifice to earn a reward for themselves in ‘heaven’.

 One specific group that is ahead of the rest of Europeans in this respect are the Jews. They have experienced the Holocaust and are acutely aware of human imposed suffering on others. A practice that happens daily in human interaction with animals. We shut our hearts and minds to both cruelty against humanity and cruelty against animals. For example, a glaring instance of indifference to the plight of animals in Sri Lanka is the failure to enact the Animal Welfare Bill.

In contrast, European countries with growing Atheism are displaying growing legislative interest in the welfare and protection of animals. 

Jew-buds

The Jews who have turned to Buddhism for solace and insights are called Jew-buds. They are interested in both Judaism and Buddhism. They are an influential group in both the USA and Europe now giving leadership to White skin Buddhist communities in the Western countries.

The movement towards Atheism in Europe is more or less in line with what the Buddha advocated 2, 600 years ago. Rely on yourself to achieve wisdom through your own efforts e.g. Meditation, and develop Compassion by causing no harm to living beings, human and non – human.

Buddhist insights are the main reason that have influenced Europeans to distance themselves from monotheism and embrace Atheism. The average European is no longer interested in playing a numbers game with religion.They do not wear religious labels.  For them it is a private matter.   

They have adequate means to survive to avoid becoming vulnerable to inducements to change religion or transfer their loyalties. There are no significant ‘ Born Again’ communities, in major European cities unlike in former European colonies. 

This movement in Europe towards Atheism is unstoppable with increasing ‘ God Delusion’.

Senaka Weeraratna 

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