Buddhism: Migration and religious pluralism

This topic explores how Buddhism has migrated from its origins in South Asia to become a global religion, and how it interacts with religious pluralism in modern societies. You will examine historical patterns of Buddhist migration, including the spread of Theravada Buddhism to Southeast Asia, Mahayana Buddhism to East Asia, and Vajrayana Buddhism to Tibet and Mongolia. In the modern period, you will study how Buddhist communities have established themselves in Western countries, particularly the UK, through post-war migration from countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and China. This migration has led to the creation of temples, meditation centres, and Buddhist organisations that adapt traditional practices to new cultural contexts.

Religious pluralism refers to the coexistence of multiple religious traditions within a single society. For Buddhism, this raises questions about how Buddhist teachings on tolerance and non-harm (ahimsa) translate into interfaith engagement. You will analyse case studies such as the Buddhist Peace Fellowship's work in multi-faith contexts, the role of the Network of Buddhist Organisations (UK) in promoting dialogue, and challenges like the treatment of Buddhist minorities in Myanmar. Understanding this topic is crucial for evaluating Buddhism's response to modernity and its contribution to debates about multiculturalism and religious freedom.

This topic fits within the broader AQA A-Level Religious Studies specification under 'Religion, migration and religious pluralism'. It connects to themes of identity, ethics, and the relationship between religion and state. By studying Buddhist migration and pluralism, you will develop skills in analysing primary sources (e.g., the Kalama Sutta on tolerance), evaluating scholarly perspectives (e.g., Ninian Smart's dimensions of religion), and constructing arguments about how religions adapt to new environments.