Buddhism and the Modern World
A four-part series of talks
20 Oct 2026-1 Dec 2026
Tuesdays 20th October | 3rd November | 17th November | 1st December - 7:30 – 8:30
Is there a place for Buddhism in the modern world? Experienced Buddhist practitioners, referencing the ground-breaking book Wisdom in Exile by renowned Buddhist master Lama Jampa Thaye, examine the interface between ancient wisdom and contemporary issues. Each evening will include a talk on a specific topic covered in the text. There will be time for questions, refreshments and informal conversation.
In a series of four fortnightly sessions, we explore themes around Buddhism and its encounter with the West in modern times, based closely upon 'Wisdom in Exile', a ground-breaking book on this topic by Lama Jampa Thaye, one of the few westerners authentically qualified as a Buddhist master (in the Tibetan traditions). The series will be presented by long-time buddhist practitioners, students of Lama Jampa himself, in the hope that it will bring fresh insights and perspectives on the problems we are facing in contemporary culture and how buddhism, if properly understood, functions as a remedy to those problems on a personal and spiritual level.
In the first session we will recap on the circumstances that opened the way for buddhism in the West, and how those same circumstances have also led to a decline in traditional western culture and values. Then in the second session we will discuss how politics and science have sought to replace religion and thereby become the new ‘gods’ in a confused new world order. Thirdly, we look at how Buddhism offers a different solution, but that if not properly understood, can easily be cannibalised to serve the preconceptions of contemporary culture. Then fourthly and finally, we will try to bring it all together and see what lessons are to be learnt and then what might happen next!