The year 2025 will be a special one for the European Buddhist Union:
it will mark the 50th anniversary of our union. The 50-year anniversary calls on us to reflect on the current state of Buddhism and the future perspectives and challenges that lie ahead, both in the near and distant future. The central question is, therefore, what kind of Buddhism can we imagine for the future? Is it already possible to identify the features of what may come in the coming decades? In short, can we truly begin to speak of a Western Buddhism capable of addressing the most pressing issues emerging from society and providing possible interpretative keys to its complexity?
Over the past fifty years, Buddhism has established a solid presence in Europe, evolving into a rich and diverse phenomenon. It encompasses various branches and interconnections from different Asian Buddhist traditions. However, Buddhism’s unique ability to transcend traditional categories—whether as a religion, philosophy, practice, or lifestyle—offers Europe something even more profound: a sensibility, an understanding, and an existential stance that resonate with a broad spectrum of individuals. This includes not only practitioners but also intellectuals, researchers, activists, and sympathizers whose worldviews have been profoundly shaped by Buddhist teachings.
From this complex landscape, we wish to begin by imagining what European Buddhism might look like fifty years from now. That’s why, the EBU will organize a day of reflection and dialogue titled “Buddhism 2075: Shaping the Identity of European Buddhism.” The conference will take place in Vienna on April 25 next year, preceding our annual general assembly, which, as every year, will bring together all our members from across Europe. The conference will have a dynamic format, favoring debate over monologues and encouraging interaction between speakers and the audience.
This exploration will guide us in understanding the evolving identity of European Buddhism in an era of profound cultural, technological, social, and political transformation.
The first and perhaps most compelling question we will ask is: does a distinctly European (or Western) form of Buddhism already exist? Are we witnessing a process of cultural adaptation in Europe, similar to how Buddhism historically integrated with local cultures across Asia? How far along are we in this process, and what changes when the cultural backdrop is modern, rooted in secularism and scientific thinking? These questions naturally lead us to explore the relationship between Buddhism and science, beyond superficial reconciliations. This isn’t just a matter of academic debate but touches on how these ideas shape the genuine inner lives of practitioners. How strongly should contemporary Buddhism remain connected to its traditional roots? And how much should we embrace its inherent capacity for renewal—its anti-dogmatic, critical, and non-metaphysical spirit?
This also raises questions about Buddhism’s original monastic vocation, which has remained central but has not been its only historical expression. While monasticism has always been a strong component, Buddhism has also flourished among lay practitioners and across various cultural contexts. Does European Buddhism still need monasteries, or should it evolve into new forms that reflect the needs of contemporary practitioners?
Additionally, how should Buddhism engage with the pressing social issues facing democratic Europe, where increasingly polarized debates divide liberal and conservative ideologies? Examples such as gender equality, racism, social inclusion, and bioethics are just a few of the many issues that dominate public discourse today. Other critical areas include environmental ethics, freedom of expression, and the challenges of migration. These are complex questions with significant identity and political implications. Should European Buddhists take a stand on these matters, or should Buddhism remain outside such debates, to avoid the risk of being shaped by the biases of contemporary society?
And finally, the most important and challenging question: is it possible to find common ground, a shared foundation among the various forms of Buddhism that have taken root in Europe? These different forms already coexist in the same cities and within national and transnational Buddhist unions. But can they not only coexist but also foster a deeper sense of unity and collaboration within these shared spaces? This invites us to consider the still-untapped potential for a truly unified Buddhist community. Perhaps this is where we should begin—laying the foundation for a spiritual and ethical perspective capable of contributing to the course of the new millennium.
Does a distinctly European (or Western) form of Buddhism already exist?Are we witnessing a process of cultural adaptation in Europe, similar to how Buddhism historically integrated with local cultures across Asia?
Stefano Davide Bettera
European Buddhist Union
President
Each quarter the EBU publishes a magazine with articles, interviews and other content - mostly from Buddhists in Europe. The goal is to have an overarching medium which connects the vast Buddhist landscape of the European continent.