Topic > Technology and Globalization in Buddhism - 1718

The belief system has spread like no other religion, perhaps because there has been little or no history of missionary activity and militancy. Peace is strongly promoted, with the Eightfold Path outlining the avoidance of actions that negatively impact the lives of others. The lack of a God allows Buddhism to adapt more easily to different cultures as the belief system is simply a way of life and guidance. However, the views of Western culture conflict with those of Asian culture, creating dissent in both Western and Asian countries, which continue to be exposed to the Western world due to globalization. This is evident in the colonial period, when Vietnam was colonized by the French, who imposed Catholicism in the Buddhist country. President Ngo Dinh Diem, despite being born a Buddhist, was Catholic by choice. As president, he led a government that favored Catholics and the church, allowing the church to own a large amount of property and land tax-free while heavily taxing civilians. This change was strongly opposed, with Buddhist monks joining the protest, to the point of causing some monks to self-immolate. Therefore, Buddhists have opposed globalization under dire circumstances, as Buddhists usually do not cause or contribute to conflict, as such actions would harm others and therefore contradict the Eightfold