Quakers and Non-Dualistic Buddhism
This essay is by Christina Pan.
What are some of the intersections between Quakerism and Buddhism? How have believers from each of these faith groups interacted in the past?
Christina is a Georgetown student who served as an intern to FGC in 2024.
This essay shows the opinions of the author only. It does not represent view of FGC or Georgetown University.
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Can someone be both Quaker and Buddhist at the same time? Steven Smith, an interfaith practitioner who published a book named A Quaker in the Zendo, wrote about rediscovering Quaker faith through Zen Buddhism. From the book, Smith states:
“Curiously, this spiritual practice has led me back to the Society of Friends: the more I practice Zen, the more thoroughly Quaker I become.”
Though some more traditional Buddhists and Quakers on both sides may frown upon the usage of one religion in order to relate to another one more closely, this interfaith dynamism is a core part of the developing nature of religion in what is becoming an increasingly digitized and secular world.
Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh, known for his peace advocacy especially within interfaith traditions, founded the Plum Village monastery. This, in turn, inspired the Plum Village tradition that engages Mahāyāna Buddhism with a new concept of Engaged Buddhism. The concept of Engaged Buddhism refers to a social movement that seeks to apply Buddhist ethics and the teachings of the Buddhist dharma to contemporary situations, from environmental issues to socio-political dilemmas. In particular, Engaged Buddhism originated from the need to respond to major world crises, especially by the time of the Vietnam War. The way of practice was also inspired from Gandhi’s spiritual non-violence in India and of Martin Luther King Jr.’s practices in the U.S. Combined with Quaker advocacy, interfaith dialogue with Buddhism may not only lead the way to a better individual spiritual experience but also form a more global, cosmopolitan look at religion. Historical roots of Quaker-Buddhist interactions may suggest, first, a misunderstanding on the part of early Quakers. Some early Quakers who traveled to Asia may have generalized the Buddhist practice as one without gods or guidelines, and viewed it more as a fluid philosophy than a tradition of faith practice.
Like every religion or faith practice, there is a spectrum of individuals who range from strict adherence to fluidity and non-definition. Regardless of individual spiritual belief, however, the interfaith dynamic of Quakerism and Buddhism has important implications for peace and world affairs. The presence of minority religions can serve as a self-checking tool for the rest of society when considering personal liberties and religious freedom, and more importantly, inspire great leaders and followers on their way of finding their personal connection towards spirituality.
Sources:
A Quaker in the Zendo, Steven Smith
Angell, S. W. (2004). Interactions of Mission-Oriented Quakers with Buddhists, 1885-1935. Quaker History, 93(2), 1–27. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41947538 https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/godforbid/small-but-mighty/11781762