Definitions - Belief system

- Buddhism

Globalisation
- Emperor Ashoka 3rd century BCE
- Catalyst for Buddhism being predominant faith in Asia

Continuity
Siddhartha crucial in creating mores and social norms

-Accepted standards of Buddhist norms- universally positive, basic to all human

interaction

-Buddhist values- fundamental to all human societies, always unchanged and

easily accepted by all societies and cultures

-Institutions- form on globalisation in the modern era, first major international

Buddhist conference, the World Buddhist Forum held in 2006 in China

Causes increase in westerners and trivialization

Resistance/ Change
All belief systems experience change as societies evolve and mores and social
norms are altered. (Evident in Buddhism in the last 2500 years)

-Gender- Most evident in disappearance of women from Sanghas

In 21st century globalisation created gender issues in Buddhism

Cause increase in women and western women pioneers. Pressures from 1903
Catherine de Alwis, 21st century Tenzin Palmo

- Power and authority-Shifts power and authority due to re-emergence of women

into Buddhism

Two communities- religious community (sangha) and lay community

Thai Sangha- formalized hierarchy with millions of monks and nuns
Tibetan Sangha- appoint high authority figure the Dalai Lama

- Globalisation and colonization- Buddhist countries became colonies of

Britain (Sri Lanka, Burma, Nepal) and France (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos)

Acculturation created western interest

American Colonel Henry S. Olcott – revived Buddhism in Sri Lanka, designed

flag in 1880’s. Adoption of flag in 1952 is a change due to globalisation.
Embrace of Technology
Assists the Dalai Lama travels around the world spreading Buddhist teachings

Increase growth of Buddhism contributed by globalisation

Worked in its advantage with internet playing major role in publicizing their cause
on Tibetan issues, still following non violent beliefs

Conclusion
As the society changed in 2500 years, globalisation has changed Buddhism with
the increase spread of its teachings which have developed into different types of
Buddhism such as Mayahana, Theravada and Vajrayana. Although these
divisions reflect a combination of doctrinal differences they still have regional
syncretisms. Globalisation has stimulated gender issues in Buddhism with a re-
emergence of women into the belief system but the fundamental values of
Buddhism have remained unchanged since they are universally positive and
accepting by other societies and cultures, hence the increase in westerners
adopting Buddhism into their way of life. Society is always changing and with
globalisation, it is evidently altering Buddhism with the increasing number of
followers throughout the world.