April-June 2012, Volume 39(PDF)
Buddhist Teachings on Spiritual Liberation
Despite all the social, technological, and economic progress of recent years, it is widely recognized that much suffering continues to exist. Buddhists describe our world as the saha-world, a world in which suffering has to be endured.
Throughout history, various religions have taught specific paths to spiritual liberation or salvation. In today’s world, as humanity becomes ever more secular, in many places religion plays a less important role in people’s lives, and Buddhism in Japan is no exception.
What do people today seek from religion for their salvation or spiritual liberation, in our ever-changing world, where many natural and human-caused disasters result in so much distress? What is a Buddhist response to those who are suffering? Further, in our contemporary world, how can individual spiritual liberation contribute to international peace and human happiness, which are Buddhism’s ultimate goals?
