BUDDHISM AND THE MODERN AGE - Issue 8 - (World Buddhism)

Sep 28, 2026

An editorial essay argues that as modern science discredits dogma, authoritative religious ideas founded on revelation lose credibility, especially in the West. It discusses how scientific pioneers faced religious persecution and how views on God, the soul, and immortality increasingly fail to satisfy educated thinkers. Citing observers like Professor Leuba and remarks attributed to Bishop Ayer and W.T. Stace, it contrasts Christianity’s struggles with Buddhism’s resilience amid scientific change, and questions whether science can support peace, morality, and brotherhood.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages32

Reading Time1 h 21 min

AccessFree to download

Buddhism and the Modern Age

In this Issue

Amarasiri Weeraratne

India's Prestige Lies in Buddhist Heritage

The Story of Ch’an Master

Letters to the Editor

The New Buddhist Movement in India

The Middle Way Taught by the Buddha

Pictures

Notes of the Month

Progress of Buddhism in Scandinavia

The Buddhist Way of Life in Canada

Sculpture Preserved in Pi-yun Monastery

Non-Christian Faiths are not Dying out

Book Reviews

Publications Received

World Buddhism

W.E.SERVICEKEEPS SPREADING…. Like ripples in a pool,reaching out in ever-widening circles,C.W.E.servicehas spread to every corner of the land. Since its inception in Ceylon,the C.W.E.has come to stand for quality atlow cost,offering its many advantages to towns and hamlets in every partof Ceylon. The C.W.E.is one of the greatest weapons availableto the consumer in his continuous battle against thecost of living. REMEMBER YOUR MONEY GOESFARTHERAT THE C.W.E. CASP20 FOR QUALITY AND YALUE THE SOAPTHAT 18ALILGENTLEFRAGRANCEDream of anewbeauty soap..it's Suvendra.The soap that is all gentle fragrance.Subtlyblended with Almond Oil,Suvendra is somild,so kind to your skin:Feel its smooth,creamy lather refreshing your beauty…bathing you in dewy sandalwood perfume.Discover Suvendra for yourself soon.SUVEN□RASANDALWOO□ S APblended with almond oilA NEW PRODUCT FROM BRIT1SH CEYLON CORPORATION COOPTEX ON YOUR CLOTHES LINES- Sole Distributors: C.W.E. EMEMBER-NOY AND ALVAYS TFEBRINGs YoU T△P QUALITY AND VALU5-7~202 World Buddhism International Monthly:Established 2495—1951 B.E.2507 APRIL 1964 Vol.XII No.8 # BUDDHISM AND THEMODERN AGE | In this Issue..….
Page
Buddhism and the Modern Age
3
Amarasiri Weeraratne
.
India's Prestige Lies in
Buddhist Heritage
Buddhadasa P.Kirthisinghe
5
The Story of Ch'an Master
Hsu Yun-X
Upasaka Lu K'uan Yu
… 7
(Charles Luk)
Letters to the Editor
Buddhism in East Pakistan
8
The New Buddhist Mcvement
in India
… 9
V.G.Nair
The Middle Way Taught by
the Buddha
Richard G.Stoneham
12
Pictures
14,15
Notes of the Month
.… 16
Progress of Buddhism in
Scandinavia
…21
M.R.Ratnajinendra
The Buddhist Way of Life
in Canada
Sushanti Wickremaratne ...22
Sculpture Preserved in Pi-yun
Monastery
Upasaka Chou Shu-chia ...23
Non-Christian Faiths are not
Dving out
...24
Book Reviews
24
Publications Received
…26
WORLD BUDDHISM
(Established 2495—1951)
International Monthly devoted
to Buddhism,Buddhist Literature,
Art,Culture and News,published
by
BUDDHIST PUBLICATIONS
Circulates in All Buddhist
Countries.
Annual Subscription
Ceylon,India and Pakistan
Rs.10
Other Commonwealth
Sh.20
Countries
…
Countries outside the
$ 3
Commonwealth
…
Advertisement rates on appli-
cation to the Manager.
Books and periodicals for review
and articles and other contributions
should be addressed to the Editor,
91/1,Dutugemunu Street,
Dehiwela,Ceylon. | | --- | By Amarasiri Weeraratne(Ceylon) WHEN science was in a primitivestage of development the re-ligions of faith,dogma,and autho-ritar anism enjoyed their heyday.Man did not understand the lawSthat govern the universe,and any-thing could be attributed to divinewill,or the omnipotence of God.Rationality or conformity to theprinciples of science were not heldat a premium then. The obsessions and superstitionsof the ancient Semites as recordedin the Old Testament were heldsacrosant by the Western world.Anything which contradicted thesesuperstitions were viewed with sus-picion and considered mischievous.Thus the pioneers of modern sciencewere harassed and persecuted bythe religious authorities. From the time that Galilleo dis-covered that the earth was not thecentre of the solar system to Darwin'stheory of biological evolution,Wes-tern religious ideas have beendiscredited one after another.Mo-dern psychology too shows thatman's mind like his body works ina pattern of causal law,and howeverdeep one fathoms its depths onecannot discover in it an unchangingsoul which governs its activities,When the time-honoured dogmaswere found to be false the wholesystem of faith and worship in theWest became shaken t

FAQs

Why does the essay claim modern science undermines religious authority?

It argues that scientific understanding replaces earlier ignorance of universal laws, making dogma and divine revelation less acceptable. Once doctrines are found false, belief systems tied to them become shaken, especially among educated people.

What does the essay say about Western responses to scientific findings?

It describes how pioneers of modern science were harassed and persecuted by religious authorities. Later, even believers may reinterpret ancient beliefs non-literally to reconcile them with doubt.

How does the text compare Christianity and Buddhism in the age of science?

It cites claims that modern science makes a shipwreck of Christianity, while not touching Buddhism. The essay then asks whether science alone can bring goodwill, peace, and moral-spiritual values.

Sep 28, 2026

Upload by Callum