KATHMANDU UNIVERSITY

PUBLIC LECTURE CENTRE FOR BUDDHIST STUDIES

AT R A N G J U N G Y E S H E I N S T I T U T E

Is the View Obsolete? A Discussion of

Secular Buddhist Opinions on Buddhist
View and Practice
DR. PHILIPPE TURENNE
Ph.D.

The arguments and positions that some Secular Buddhists

bring forward about Buddhism deserve to be taken serious-
ly. Some elements of their critique of Buddhist tradition, al-
though perhaps not altogether new, point to some serious
shortcomings and risks that come out of refusing to engage
with modernity, and they convey valuable advice on how to
allow Buddhist intellectual practice to retain its vitality. Rep-
resentatives of “religious,” “traditional,” or “classical” Bud-
dhist traditions have failed to appreciate the validity of some
of their criticism, but they would benefit by looking at this
criticism honestly and recognizing its value. It would be a mistake for Buddhists to think that
they can simply dismiss their views as being wrong or superficial without showing exactly how
that is the case.

Buddhists, as followers of other religions, are unfortunately not immune from believing so
much in the superiority of their view that they do not feel the need to engage with criticism
they perceive to come from outside their religion or tradition. Buddhists need to recognize that
people who do not identify as followers of their religion—or at least the institutions that repre-
sent Buddhists—do have a say in and an effect on how Buddhism is understood in the world.

Philippe was born in Canada, and has studied Buddhism in both traditional and academic
contexts. Since 1996 he has studied primarily with Khenchen Palden Sherab and Khenpo
Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche. Philippe’s academic studies have mostly been at McGill Univer-
sity and the Central Institute for Higher Tibetan Studies in Sarnath, India. Philippe joined RYI
in 2011 where he currently teaches in the MA program.

SCHEDULE:
Monday, 25th Sept. 2023
5:30 pm NPT (On-Campus & Online)
Classroom 103
Meeting ID:
Zoom ID: 431 318 1117
FEES:
No Charge - All Are Welcome
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