Buddhism, Secularism, and the Search for Meaning in a Modern World
In an age of science, skepticism, and political zealotry—where do we turn for lasting meaning and happiness?
In a time when many people identify as “spiritual but not religious,” and others confidently describe themselves as secular, Buddhism often appears to offer a middle way—deep, practical, yet free from theism and blind faith.
This talk explores whether Buddhism and secularism are truly compatible, or whether they rest on fundamentally different views of reality, morality, and the purpose of human life.
We’ll reflect on how secularism arose in the West as a reaction against Christianity, and how its assumptions—about science as ultimate truth, politics as the solution to suffering, and meaning as something we construct ourselves—shape the modern mind.
We’ll also examine why Buddhism has increasingly been reframed in secular terms, and ask:
What is essential to Buddhism—and what is optional?
Can karma, rebirth, and liberation be set aside without changing the heart of the path?
Does secular culture provide a meaningful framework for happiness—or does it quietly lead toward nihilism?
Far from being a rejection of reason, Buddhism offers a profound and radical alternative to both religious dogmatism and modern materialism. This talk invites open, thoughtful inquiry into one of the most important questions of our time:
Where is genuine meaning to be found in the modern world?
All are welcome—whether religious, non-religious, skeptical, or simply searching.
