| Introduction | | | | benefit from it. In recent times, some of the new |
| "Applied Buddhism" is the application of Buddhist | | | | concepts that have evolved in Buddhism are Engaged |
| teachings in our daily life. It is a broad umbrella under | | | | Buddhism, Social Buddhism, Socially Engaged Buddhism |
| which all the essential aspects of life such as physical, | | | | and Green Buddhism. Like the "String Theory" of |
| mental, social and spiritual well being as well as | | | | quantum physics, "Applied Buddhism" is an effort to |
| philosophical, bio-ethical, financial and modern scientific | | | | integrate all these scattered aspects of Buddhism |
| aspects could be incorporated. This includes the | | | | under one single and unified concept in order to make |
| Buddhist ideas practiced by the three major schools of | | | | it more appealing to the global community. Through this |
| Buddhist thoughts in modern era, namely the | | | | Applied Buddhism, one should be able to follow |
| Theravada, Mahayana and Tantrayana (Tibetan) | | | | Buddhism without being a Buddhist. |
| traditions. Apart from the commonly discussed | | | | Evolution of the Concept of Applied Buddhism |
| philosophical and psychological aspects, more | | | | The term "Applied Buddhism" was first coined by an |
| emphasis is given here on the traditional culture and | | | | eminent Buddhist Scholar from India, Dr. Dipak Kumar |
| social aspects of Buddhism. | | | | Barua. He was the elected Dean of the Faculty |
| "Applied Buddhism" also shares valuable information on | | | | Council for Postgraduate Studies in Education, |
| Buddhist contributions to modern science, health and | | | | Journalism & Library Science in the University of |
| well being. As our concept of well being is directly | | | | Calcutta, West Bengal, India (1987-1991) and the |
| related to our mental and spiritual health, Buddhist | | | | Director of Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Nalanda (a |
| Meditational practices are given the prime importance | | | | Deemed University) in Nalanda, Bihar, India (1996-1999). |
| for prevention of mental illnesses and recommended | | | | He had discussed at length about this new concept of |
| for incorporation in the regimen of regular | | | | "Applied Buddhism" in his Book entitled, "Applied |
| psychotherapy and in primary and secondary school | | | | Buddhism: Studies in the Gospel of Buddha from |
| curriculum as a part of primordial prevention. | | | | Modern Perspectives". |
| Importance of Applied Buddhism | | | | This book was first published during the year 2005 by |
| Without disrespecting the significance of religious rituals, | | | | the Centre of Buddhist Studies, under the aegis of the |
| the myths and beliefs and traditional local ceremonial | | | | Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies of the |
| practices related to Buddhism are however, carefully | | | | Banaras Hindu University in India. However, due to |
| extracted and excluded from this domain of "Applied | | | | limited publications and restricted circulation of this book |
| Buddhism". This is intentionally done in order to make | | | | within the country, the new concept of "Applied |
| the Buddhist ideas more acceptable to people | | | | Buddhism" could not be popularized outside India for |
| belonging other religious realms and cultural | | | | quite some time. However, during the later years, this |
| backgrounds. The idea behind this is to enable people | | | | new concept was widely appreciated by the |
| practice Buddhism without being converted into a | | | | renowned scholars in various intellectual forums |
| Buddhist. One should understand that Buddhism is not | | | | throughout the world. The common people from varied |
| just a religion, but a way of life. | | | | religious background also found comfort in easy |
| In order to incorporate Buddhist ideas in daily life, one | | | | understanding of the principle teachings of the Buddha. |
| need not give up his or her own religion. Just that one | | | | Conclusion |
| can remain spiritual without being religious, in the same | | | | This new concept of the applied aspect of Buddhism |
| way; one can practice Buddhist teachings without | | | | is destined to bridge the gap of understanding that |
| formally being a Buddhist. | | | | exists due to misinterpretation of the teachings of the |
| Applied Aspect of Buddhism: Integration of Buddhist | | | | Buddha by people belonging to diverse religious |
| Philosophy with Activities in Daily Life | | | | backgrounds. Once popularized and accepted, it would |
| Thus, the term "Applied Buddhism" explains how every | | | | pave the way in promoting peace and harmony in the |
| person can relate Buddhist ideas into his or her daily life | | | | society. Applied Buddhism is also a noble endeavor to |
| and in profession. The main focus of this new concept | | | | integrate the Buddhist philosophy with modern science |
| is to diffuse the teachings of the Buddha in every nook | | | | and technology. This applied philosophy is an integral |
| and corner of the society, so that all sentient beings, | | | | part of our daily life and is expected to be accepted |
| irrespective of their religion, culture and creed can | | | | by everyone without any discrimination. |