Can You Be Both Buddhist and Secular?
Many people today are drawn to Buddhism precisely because they consider themselves non-religious. They appreciate meditation, mindfulness, compassion, and personal inquiry—but are wary of dogma, ritual, or metaphysical belief. At the same time, many describe themselves as “secular” and value science, reason, and individual freedom.
So an important question arises: Is Buddhism compatible with secularism?
Can someone be genuinely Buddhist while remaining fully secular?
This talk will explore what secularism actually means in the Western context—how it developed historically as a reaction against Christian authority—and how its assumptions shape the way many of us think about truth, morality, and the meaning of life.
We’ll look at:
Where Buddhism and secularism genuinely overlap—such as the rejection of a creator God and the encouragement of personal investigation.
Where they diverge—particularly around karma, rebirth, liberation, the nature of consciousness, and the transcendental dimension of reality.
Whether “secular Buddhism” represents a modern skillful adaptation—or an unexamined reduction of core Buddhist teachings.
The role of science, politics, and moral relativism in secular culture, and how these compare with the Buddhist path.
This talk invites thoughtful reflection whatever your position. If you consider yourself secular but feel drawn to Buddhist ideas, this is an opportunity to explore the philosophical foundations more deeply. If you’re already practicing Buddhism, it offers a chance to clarify what is essential—and what is optional—in the tradition.
Buddhism does not demand blind belief. But neither is it simply a stress-reduction technique or a lifestyle preference. Together we’ll examine whether these two worldviews can truly coexist—or whether, at crucial points, they part ways.
Open to all—religious, non-religious, skeptical, or simply curious.
