The Humanistic Buddhism Centre

We live in troubled times. Individuals and communities are increasingly challenged by human impact on the planet which sustains us such as climate change, deforestation and species extinctions. The disparity between rich and poor is growing at a dramatic rate. We live in a dangerously technologised world where our ability to destroy, as in nuclear war, radically outpaces our ability and willingness to create or heal. The ethical and moral capability of those who are in control is sadly lacking. Furthermore, as our interaction with the world is increasingly online we experience a decrease in community and belonging and an increase in isolation, social disharmony and the side-lining of compassion, kindness and the spirit of giving. All of this has led to massive global inequality and suffering.

At heart of all these troubles is self-interest.

The heart of a viable future is the need for a return to the strength and guiding force of our humanity – sharing, compassion, commitment, integrity and, perhaps above all, trust.

The Humanistic Buddhism Centre was founded within this troubled world, with a mission to bring humanity back to it, to foster wider understanding of the strength which can be drawn from Buddhist Teaching and Values, and at the same time, to ensure that HBC continuously learn and adapt.

This mission for HBC is therefore reflected in its teaching of Buddhist insights and application;in the development of parallel research in tracking historic lessons through to expanding access to contemporary understanding.

Directly in parallel, HBC is building enriching outreach to both apply humanistic values within the wider community and peoples’ daily lives and work, and to feed back greater wisdom and relevance from this community engagement into HBC teaching and activities.