Buddhism and Modernism: Challenging the False Dichotomy

The division between traditional Buddhism and modernism is largely a false dichotomy. Core Buddhist principles — such as free inquiry, empiricism, and anti-dogmatism — align closely with the values of modern science. Rather than opposing science, Buddhism’s foundational teachings resonate with it, especially in the original spirit of Buddha’s rebellion against Brahmanism. Just as Martin Luther’s Protestant Reformation returned spiritual authority to individuals, Buddha’s movement against the Brahmanic orthodoxy empowered individuals to seek truth independently, challenging the dominant religious structures. This essay argues that traditional Buddhist principles are inherently compatible with modernism and that a science-compatible Buddhism is essential for the tradition’s future vitality.

Original Buddhism: A Foundation for Modernist Values

Early Buddhism embodies principles that resonate deeply with modernist ideals, emphasizing critical inquiry and direct experience over blind faith. In texts like the Kalama Sutta, the Buddha advised his followers to question teachings — including his own — through direct experience rather than relying on tradition or authority. This anti-dogmatic stance, which encourages personal examination and empirical inquiry, aligns Buddhism with the foundations of…