Buddhism under Capitalism

This insightful book examines the relationship between Buddhism and capitalism, revealing how globalized capitalism influences Buddhist practices and communities worldwide.

In Buddhism under Capitalism, the authors present a compelling argument that the spread of Buddhism has been significantly influenced by globalized capitalism. This exploration delves into the intricate ways in which capitalism has not only facilitated the dissemination of Buddhist practices but also reshaped the very fabric of Buddhist communities and their beliefs in the modern world. Through a careful examination of historical and contemporary contexts, the book reveals the complex interplay between economic forces and spiritual traditions.

Edited by two prominent scholars in Buddhist studies, this volume features a collection of innovative essays that scrutinize how capitalism and neo-liberalism have altered perceptions of Buddhism across the globe. The contributors analyze the institutional practices that have allowed Buddhism to thrive over two and a half millennia, highlighting how these institutions have adapted to fit within the frameworks of contemporary global economic systems, particularly in Europe and the United States over the past century and a half.

The essays included in Buddhism under Capitalism encourage readers to reconsider the relationship between Buddhism and secular society. By providing case studies that encompass digital capitalism, tourism, and monasticism, the book draws on diverse examples from the USA, Tibet, China, Japan, and Thailand. This comprehensive examination ultimately invites a reevaluation of how traditional practices can coexist and evolve within a capitalist framework.