Korean Buddhism in the Era of ‘Spiritual, but Not Religious’: Adapting to Contemporary Society
The shift toward modernity has come with many changes that affect religion. This article investigates some of those changes with the aim of showing how Korean Buddhism is adjusting to contemporary spirituality. The article begins with a consideration of the term ‘spiritual, but not religious’ (SBNR)...
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-10-01
|
| Series: | Religions |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/15/11/1305 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1846152547597811712 |
|---|---|
| author | Brian D. Somers |
| author_facet | Brian D. Somers |
| author_sort | Brian D. Somers |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The shift toward modernity has come with many changes that affect religion. This article investigates some of those changes with the aim of showing how Korean Buddhism is adjusting to contemporary spirituality. The article begins with a consideration of the term ‘spiritual, but not religious’ (SBNR), a relatively new designation that indicates the shift a growing number of people are taking away from organized religious institutes towards beliefs and practices that they find more relevant and meaningful. To better understand SBNRs, the research of Mercadante is emphasized. The second half of this article aims to consider Korean Buddhism in the context of modern spirituality. Using Mercadante’s framework, which distinguishes between five types of SBNRs (dissenters, causals, explorers, seekers, and immigrants), an inquiry is carried out into each of these categories to show some of the ways in which Korean Buddhism is engaging with the spiritual and emotional concerns of modern, secular society. Thus, this work aims to show the direction Korean Buddhism is headed in and how it is relevant to modern, spiritual inclinations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1ccbd873a39247159a1bf8c94a6749af |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2077-1444 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Religions |
| spelling | doaj-art-1ccbd873a39247159a1bf8c94a6749af2024-11-26T18:19:13ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442024-10-011511130510.3390/rel15111305Korean Buddhism in the Era of ‘Spiritual, but Not Religious’: Adapting to Contemporary SocietyBrian D. Somers0Department of Buddhist Studies, Dongguk University, Seoul 04620, Republic of KoreaThe shift toward modernity has come with many changes that affect religion. This article investigates some of those changes with the aim of showing how Korean Buddhism is adjusting to contemporary spirituality. The article begins with a consideration of the term ‘spiritual, but not religious’ (SBNR), a relatively new designation that indicates the shift a growing number of people are taking away from organized religious institutes towards beliefs and practices that they find more relevant and meaningful. To better understand SBNRs, the research of Mercadante is emphasized. The second half of this article aims to consider Korean Buddhism in the context of modern spirituality. Using Mercadante’s framework, which distinguishes between five types of SBNRs (dissenters, causals, explorers, seekers, and immigrants), an inquiry is carried out into each of these categories to show some of the ways in which Korean Buddhism is engaging with the spiritual and emotional concerns of modern, secular society. Thus, this work aims to show the direction Korean Buddhism is headed in and how it is relevant to modern, spiritual inclinations.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/15/11/1305Korean Buddhismspiritualityspiritual but not religiousSBNRcontemporary religioncontemporary Buddhism |
| spellingShingle | Brian D. Somers Korean Buddhism in the Era of ‘Spiritual, but Not Religious’: Adapting to Contemporary Society Religions Korean Buddhism spirituality spiritual but not religious SBNR contemporary religion contemporary Buddhism |
| title | Korean Buddhism in the Era of ‘Spiritual, but Not Religious’: Adapting to Contemporary Society |
| title_full | Korean Buddhism in the Era of ‘Spiritual, but Not Religious’: Adapting to Contemporary Society |
| title_fullStr | Korean Buddhism in the Era of ‘Spiritual, but Not Religious’: Adapting to Contemporary Society |
| title_full_unstemmed | Korean Buddhism in the Era of ‘Spiritual, but Not Religious’: Adapting to Contemporary Society |
| title_short | Korean Buddhism in the Era of ‘Spiritual, but Not Religious’: Adapting to Contemporary Society |
| title_sort | korean buddhism in the era of spiritual but not religious adapting to contemporary society |
| topic | Korean Buddhism spirituality spiritual but not religious SBNR contemporary religion contemporary Buddhism |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/15/11/1305 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT briandsomers koreanbuddhismintheeraofspiritualbutnotreligiousadaptingtocontemporarysociety |