Buddhism in the Modern World

The book is structured around two major geographical fields: Buddhism in Southern Asia and Buddhism in Eastern Asia. The Southern Asian section begins with Burma, describing the Shwe Dagon Pagoda, monastic schools, the moral education of boys, the religious status of monks, popular offerings, women’s devotion, children’s participation, student attitudes, and the strengths and limitations of Burmese Buddhism. It then turns to Ceylon, presenting village preaching, Buddhist traditions, public influence, social reform, and contrasting attitudes among modern Buddhists. The discussion of Siam addresses the Buddhist character of the kingdom, the Thot Krathin festival, royal support for Pāli learning, Buddhist education, and temple culture. A comparative section examines funeral rites and contrasting forms of Buddhist religious life across Southern Asia. Saunders then treats Buddhism as a living world religion, discussing its appeal to those dissatisfied with Christianity, its response to suffering, its analysis of life, the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, prayer, monastic morality, lay morality, and the position of women. The book also considers the missionary approach to Buddhism, emphasizing sympathy, cultural understanding, and Christian conviction. The Eastern Asian section focuses on Japan, including Kōya San, Hieisan, Shinshū temples, Buddhist revival, and Christian influence, before concluding with Buddhism in China through the description of a Chinese temple and its religious atmosphere.